Benefits for health professionals
The My Health Record system presents health professionals with an opportunity to not only improve workflow efficiency but also to improve patient care. Much time is spent chasing up key information such as test results and current medication lists.
This presents a significant period where attention is focused on administrative rather than clinical issues. Evidence shows that 50% of a nurses time is spent working spent on administration and paper work. My Health Record presents an opportunity to spend more time with patients, ensuring they receive the best possible treatment and care.
Managing chronic and complex conditions generally means numerous pathology and diagnostic imaging reports which are often duplicated due to difficulty accessing previous reports. The My Health Record expansion includes uploading pathology and diagnostic imaging reports directly from the test providers. Evidence suggests that the use of an electronic health record provides an 18% reduction in test duplication.
Since the commencement of the opt-out period there have been many questions raised by health professionals concerning privacy, security and complex cases such as victims of domestic violence. The My Health Record website provides a useful toolbox of resources to support you and your patients to separate fact from fiction.
What do your patients need to do?
If your patients would like to have a My Health Record they don’t need to do anything as one will be automatically created for them by the end of 2018. However, if they don’t want to have a My Health Record automatically created, they have until November 15 to opt-out.
There are two main ways to opt-out, the first being by the opt-out online portal via the My Health Record website (www.myhealthrecord.gov.au) and by contacting the My Health Record system Help line on 1800 723 471.
It is important to note that an individual can cancel their My Health Record at any time. Individuals who have opted out, or cancelled can choose to re-engage with the My Health Record system.
If you require more information or further support for the My Health Record system, please contact your local Digital Health Officer or Health Systems Improvement team (Practice Support).