- MyHealthRecord is an online medical record database designed to help doctors access health records even if they’ve never treated you before. The idea is to help reduce medication mismanagement.
- It was originally launched under the name of Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record.
- PCHR had many technical issues and a low opt-in rate and as such wasn’t used much by doctors. My Health Record is meant to have better engagement and be a more helpful version of the idea.
- What’s the concern about it? Well, people are worried about a breach of security. The government is currently working to put greater restrictions for data accessible via the mobile app.
- There was a similar concept in Britain that had issues with data being sold to drug and insurance companies.
- The My Health Record website says that data “cannot be used solely for commercial and non-health-related purposes” and that “solely” is a semantic point of contention for some, saying that could be used as a loophole for a commercial company that works for Australian healthcare services. Naturally the government says the data will not be sold. There are options for what your data can be used for in secondary purposes, like research.
- The previous system, PCHR, was not breached in the 5 years of operating though.
- You can put a PIN on certain records and have notifications when they are being accessed. Personal safeguards can be overridden in case of emergency and accessed by police though.
- If you’d like to opt-out of the My Health Record you can do here at their website myhealthrecord.gov.au. You will have until October 15th to do this or you will automatically be signed up for it.
What is My Health Record and why are people saying you should opt out?
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Thoughtfulfangirling 