Rural and regional Australians stand to benefit the most from having a My Health Record as they have higher exposure to health risks and injury, experience higher levels of disease and have less access to and use of health services compared to people in metropolitan areas.
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My Health Record is an online summary of a person’s key health information. It allows them to share and control their health information with doctors, hospitals and other healthcare providers from anywhere, at any time.
National Rural Health Alliance CEO Mark Diamond said having a My Health Record can be a life saver for people in the bush who don’t always have easy access to healthcare services.
“Australians living in rural and remote areas are more likely to end up in an emergency department from a heart attack, car accident or diabetic coma. If they’re unconscious, and the medical team doesn’t have access to their health history, the team may not be able to provide life-saving care,” Mr Diamond said.
Monica McInnes and her family live in regional Australia. She is grateful to have their children’s health records safe and secure in the digital world, especially with the health needs of their children.
“For me balancing our health needs and care against any concerns around privacy and security was a no-brainer,” Ms McInnes said.
“Having individual and healthcare provider access to our important health information wins hands down.”
Some key things to remember about My Health Record:
Your important healthcare information is available in one place and accessible by your doctors, specialists or hospitals.
When moving interstate or travelling, your information can be viewed securely online.
In emergency situations, treating doctors can view information such as current medications and allergies.
You don’t need to remember the dates of tests, medicine names or dosages.
Because healthcare providers have better access to clinical information, they have a more detailed picture to make decisions, diagnose and provide treatment.
You can control what information goes into your My Health Record and restrict who is allowed to access it.
My Health Record has multi-layered security processes and strong safeguards in place to protect your information.
If you don't want a My Health Record, you need to opt out by 15 November 2018.
