My Health Record

[dk4]

For many decades, there has been a non-profit medical database service operated in Australia called MedicAlert. MedicAlert® Foundation Australia - Medical IDs | MedicAlert

It stores an electronic health record of anyone who wants to join, as well as selling various wearable IDs to immediately alert paramedics and hospital emergency departments about a wearer's serious health conditions. (e.g. penicillin allergy, pacemaker, epilepsy...)

There is no way, IMO, the federal government should have spent zillions of dollars, implementing a new bloated bureaucracy, when there is an efficient, cost effective, not for profit organisation doing things in an appropriate opt-in basis already.

 

[I love to travel]

I am out also my relationship with my GP is critical to good medical care

 

[Pushka]

For many decades, there has been a non-profit medical database service operated in Australia called MedicAlert. MedicAlert® Foundation Australia - Medical IDs | MedicAlert

It stores an electronic health record of anyone who wants to join, as well as selling various wearable IDs to immediately alert paramedics and hospital emergency departments about a wearer's serious health conditions. (e.g. penicillin allergy, pacemaker, epilepsy...)

There is no way, IMO, the federal government should have spent zillions of dollars, implementing a new bloated bureaucracy, when there is an efficient, cost effective, not for profit organisation doing things in an appropriate opt-in basis already.

I am a member of that and that is the medic bracelet I wear but it doesn’t store any official records etc but only what the patient writes on the form. There is no comparison whatsoever.

 

[dk4]

.. it doesn’t store any official records etc but only what the patient writes on the form. There is no comparison whatsoever.

I completely and comprehensively disagree with you. Comparatively MedicAlert's system is far better, IMO, because of its very conciseness, as well as its customer focus. Putting the consumer at the front and centre of maintaining their own data, and health care, means that they are in charge and not some faceless backroom bureaucrats.

I believe the best place for an individual's more comprehensive medical history is with their local GP, someone with whom they have a nuanced, personal, human to human relationship, and one which the individual is free to terminate or transfer at any time: It doesn't belong in government coffers.

 

[moa999]

I believe the best place for an individual's more comprehensive medical history is with their local GP, someone with whom they have a nuanced, personal, human to human relationshi

But sadly in today's world of corporate owned medical centres and people moving continuously this isn't the case for many.

And moving your old records is generally very difficult.

For most people this is extremely beneficial.

 

[Guvner]

Yes, appreciate that. So what do you do about possible breaches to your tax records (all cross linked to your bank etc details), your private health insurance records, your social security records, the medical records held at the doctor's surgery etc etc etc, your credit card records, your hospital records (and its a long list of 'etc'). Your pharmac_ purchases have been on the earlier version of this database for years, I understand. I reckon a bunch of dedicated hackers would target the tax office and their/your/my records to enrich themselves. I'm worried about that.

I've no doubt that there will be data breaches at some time and there may be consequences. But as I mentioned up-thread, I think everyone needs to weigh the risks of doing vs not doing, and then look at if that really matters that much, rather than 'oh it can't be secure so I'm not doing it', or, the tinfoil hat - type pushback (not you Guvner - and I like how that sounds ) - as in its about some nasty gov'mint at work.

Edit: lets add our passport details, full images of same lodged at umpteen foreign embassies and consulates. Wonder if that assists hackers ; airlines know all out passport and personal details, and Qantas about to have my face recognition details!

Against all that other stuff that's out there already and hackable, I think my health details pale into comparison and

I judge MHR to have some real benefits, in exchange for the risk of a data breach.

​

All valid points, hence why there is an Opt in/out function. You makes your choices and I makes mine.

 

[Pushka]

I completely and comprehensively disagree with you. Comparatively MedicAlert's system is far better, IMO, because of its very conciseness, as well as its customer focus. Putting the consumer at the front and centre of maintaining their own data, and health care, means that they are in charge and not some faceless backroom bureaucrats.

I believe the best place for an individual's more comprehensive medical history is with their local GP, someone with whom they have a nuanced, personal, human to human relationship, and one which the individual is free to terminate or transfer at any time: It doesn't belong in government coffers.

Fine. However, as a user of the medic alert I certainly appreciate what it does but still consider myhealth to be a great resource in my medical treatment. I saw an excellent GP the other day and thought she was a keeper, only for her to tell me she was moving out in a month. Having had a long term GP retire a couple of years ago it was impossible to extricate her records of my visits.

How does myhealth become a profit center (coffers comment) for the Government? It’s almost like you are suggesting that medic alert is better simply because it’s a not for profit, but it costs me money to subscribe. I have to buy the metal badge. And that somehow myhealth is a money earner for the Govt? At least I don’t have to pay for it. Other than taxes which I have no control over.

Conciseness does not work with Lupus. It impacts every body system. It is foremost in my blood. I have multiple blood tests every two months and it’s impossible for me to keep track of them.

 

[RooFlyer]

<snip>

I believe the best place for an individual's more comprehensive medical history is with their local GP, someone with whom they have a nuanced, personal, human to human relationship, and one which the individual is free to terminate or transfer at any time: It doesn't belong in government coffers.

But its exactly designed for times when you are NOT in the care of your GP! As per the OP ... its when you have an accident when 'away', and maybe can't communicate or remember parts of your medical history that may be relevant to the treatment you need to get - probably fast. The new doctor team works from scratch - they will be cautious and careful, but are hamstrung by not knowing whether you are allergic to this or that, whether you need certain regular medication, and so on. Are you full of anticoagulants? The attending Dr would have no idea without tests. I'm afraid in the ER, a nuanced, cuddly relationship with your GP isn't really in the picture.

Put it another way - if there is a guy with a scalpel and another guy about to pump me full of drugs while i lie unconscious in some ER, i'd rather them know as much as possible about the body they are about to get stuck into, rather than just be a John Doe.

What 'government coffers' have to do with this discussion, I have no idea, sorry.

 

[Guvner]

But its exactly designed for times when you are NOT in the care of your GP! As per the OP ... its when you have an accident when 'away', and maybe can't communicate or remember parts of your medical history that may be relevant to the treatment you need to get - probably fast. The new doctor team works from scratch - they will be cautious and careful, but are hamstrung by not knowing whether you are allergic to this or that, whether you need certain regular medication, and so on. Are you full of anticoagulants? The attending Dr would have no idea without tests. I'm afraid in the ER, a nuanced, cuddly relationship with your GP isn't really in the picture.

Put it another way - if there is a guy with a scalpel and another guy about to pump me full of drugs while i lie unconscious in some ER, i'd rather them know as much as possible about the body they are about to get stuck into, rather than just be a John Doe.

What 'government coffers' have to do with this discussion, I have no idea, sorry.

Assuming it's available to Medical Practitioners globally. No good you needing a login if you're unconscious and 'away' O/S.

 

[RooFlyer]

Sorry - unclear 'away' meant in the sense of away from home, in Australia. I don't know if its contemplated to be accessible overseas.

Anyone know?

 

[Pushka]

Assuming it's available to Medical Practitioners globally. No good you needing a login if you're unconscious and 'away' O/S.

Can’t imagine it would be directly available to health practitioners overseas but potentially indirectly should they contact the central body.

 

[Quickstatus]

Anything can be hacked:
But is this an issue in a world we’re we are already connected to the digital world in so many ways?

Singapore health database hack steals personal information of 1.5 million people, including PM - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

 

[Quickstatus]

Can’t imagine it would be directly available to health practitioners overseas but potentially indirectly should they contact the central body.

No they have to be accredited with APHRA, and need complying software

 

[RooFlyer]

I just realised an additional benefit of the MHR system, at least for myself. My GP is a bit over an hours drive away (I've moved away from Hobart), and difficult to get an appointment with, other than booking 4 or so days ahead. There are times when I have a pressing need to see a Dr., and its always a difficult thing to decide if I can wait that time to see the person who knows me best, or whether I should just see someone else.

If I know a 'strange' Dr. can bring up my records and so help me in a more informed way, that makes the decision to see that other person much easier. (And to pre-empt the question: why don't you just get a local GP: in rural Tas, they aren't that thick on the ground and I get to Hobart frequently anyway, so just about all my health-related bods are there.)

Actually, wouldn't it be great if they put dental records on the system. That's something where if something acts up, you really need to see ANY dentist ASAP, and to have your records and x-rays available widely would be fantastic.

 

[jb747]

I see that one of the medical insurance companies is already claiming they need access to this....

 

[Quickstatus]

It’s very easy for the insurance companies to get the information

Just say if you show us your myhealth records you get a discount. Carrot or the stick works as well

 

[LadyC]

Need to call up to opt out for MasterC...... I am dreading the waiting time!

 

[Hvr]

Well I've opted out so one less thing to worry about.

 

[Paddy55]

I opted out today.

Spent over 30 years working in IT and am deeply suspicious of people claiming the system can't be hacked.
Also suspicious of which Govt Depts will access this information and HOW they will use it.
Deeply suspicious of how they'll decide which 3rd parties will get access in the future, what they'll be able to access, and for what purpose.

Additionally you may have heard last week of the hacking of 1.5m similar Health Records in Singapore (Singaporean Prime Minister among 1.5m hit by cyberattack on health database)

Finally, please read this: 'Data is a fingerprint': why you aren't as anonymous as you think online

 

[Mattg]

I'm really in two minds about this. On one hand, I move around quite a lot and can see the benefit of having all my info in one place for any Australian GP/hospital I visit to be able to access.

I'm seriously concerned that, at some point in the future, insurance companies will use the data to increase premiums for some people and/or deny claims. I also think it's very poor that you can only opt-out for a limited time.