Country Correspondent: Sonĵ Hall
An electronic medical record used by providers and patients is now being rolled out across Australia. “My Health Record” is designed to increase connectivity across the system, reduce waste, and improve care quality and outcomes. Patients may select which providers are allowed access to their record. After a national initiative to “opt in” to the record proved unsuccessful, Australians may now choose to opt out before November 15, 2018.
The Australian government has developed a framework for the use and protection of the My Health Record for public health and research purposes. Patients across Australia will benefit from 15 new research projects that use information from consenting patients’ records. This AUD 8.5 million (USD 6 million) “Digital Health Test Beds” program will test new approaches in chronic health, palliative care, and post hospital support.
