My Health Record: What you need to know
Did you know that your clients can access important information about their health through digital tools such as My Health Record?
My Health Record was set up several years ago by the Australian Government as a safe and secure place to keep key health information. It is a useful tool that allows an individual to access information such as pathology and diagnostic reports, prescription information, and hospital discharge summaries from their computer or mobile device.
If the record holder allows access, their My Health Record can also be viewed by healthcare providers. This can be critical during an emergency, but is also important at a general level to ensure all health professionals treating a client can view the same health information.
Getting started
Most people will have a My Health Record unless they chose to opt out when it was first introduced. It is a good idea to talk to your clients about their record and if they don’t have one, but would like to register for one, they can do so by visiting digitalhealth.gov.au and following the three-step process. Once signed up an individual can view their record at any time through a computer or a mobile device, such as a smartphone or a tablet, with an internet connection. Or through the my health app.
Access and privacy
Information contained in My Health Record, is safe and secure. An individual can update their personal information and view their record’s history to confirm whether it has been accessed or updated. It is possible to restrict access to the record, restrict access to a document, or remove a document if an individual wishes to do so. Conversely, some of your clients may find it helpful to arrange for family members, friends, carers, or other people they trust to access their record. They can set this up by inviting them to be a nominated representative.
Five reasons your client might find My Health Record a useful tool
- It safely stores their medical history and information on medicines, so they don’t have to remember all the details.
- Is a helpful way to get an overview of their health over time, allowing them to keep track of the tests they have had and the results.
- Shows their pathology reports including blood tests, urine tests, and biopsies. Importantly, if they live with diabetes, their HbA1c results are accessible as soon as they are uploaded by their pathology provider.
- Diagnostic imaging reports such as x-rays, CT scans, and ultrasounds can be accessed through the record.
- With all key health information available in one place, an individual may find they experience better connected care and avoid unnecessary tests and scans.
Where to find out more
For more information about HbA1c and having an HbA1c check, please call the Diabetes Australia contact centre on 1800 177 055.
For more information about My Health Record, please visit digitalhealth.gov.au/healthcare-providers/initiatives-and-programs/electronic-prescribing/for-prescribers, contact the My Health Record helpline on 1800 723 471 or email help@digitalhealth.gov.au.
Download the my health app here.