My Health Record - opt in or opt out? (Australia)

[limeandpepper]

So I just opted out but not necessarily because I think it's bad, only because I'm not sure about it yet and I figure it's easier to opt out first and then I can always opt back in once I've gathered more information and thoughts.

I can see both the pros and cons of having the record and not. Major pro, having health information accessible online to health providers that could be useful in an emergency; major con, privacy concerns.

I'm curious to know if others here have opted in or out, and what is your reasoning for it?

[mjr]

I opted out.  I'm with it enough to keep track of my health records in my head.  I do not trust the Government bureaucracy as far as I can throw it in terms of security, performance and general competence.

[marty998]

I opted out too.

Can you imagine down the line - your physio sees your STI test results or your optometrist sees you're being treated for mental illness.

It'll just be... awkward, problematic, and downright invasive for all health professionals to know everything about you.

Then the Insurance companies will get onto it.

[Primm]

I work in government health, specifically in IT projects at the moment but my day job is as a clinician.

I've opted out, as have all of my colleagues that I know of.

That should tell you all you need to know of the trust in the system from the people within the system.

[HappierAtHome]

The medical professionals in my family have strongly urged us all to opt out.

Don't forget it's not just this:

Can you imagine down the line - your physio sees your STI test results or your optometrist sees you're being treated for mental illness.

It's that the physio married to your workmate will look you up because they're jealous of how late their spouse stayed out at work drinks and want to stalk you just a little bit.

[mrmoonymartian]

Opted out, thanks for the heads up. I didn't even know about until this thread.

[Primm]

Plus the antiquated architecture...

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-07/experts-still-not-convinced-about-my-health/10594352

[limeandpepper]

Thanks everyone! Some very helpful insights. This has certainly made me think that I made the right decision to opt out and I will continue to stay opted out. Keep the thoughts coming as well though, interested in all perspectives. :)

[marty998]

I will write the counter argument here.

There was a story when the system was first announced about a young woman who had the misfortune to be carrying a multitude of various diseases, conditions and problems requiring treatment from several different professionals balancing all manner of medications.

She described the ability of those to opt out as the "privilege" of being healthy. For people like her, there are absolutely some good reasons for why a system like myHealth is necessary.

Same with the experiences of elderly people who might be juggling heart, blood pressure, cholesterol and other medications.

I can see the good, but make it voluntary.

[chasingthegoodlife]

I've opted in - my perspective as a social worker working with people who are aged, have cognitive disabilities, or multiple chronic health conditions is that the current system is incredibly disjointed and important things get missed all the time.

I cannot count the number of times I've seen medical professionals ask someone with a cognitive impairment questions about their medical history that they will then base their treatment on. The patient often doesn't remember and frequently gives wrong information. That is not quality care.

For my personal situation there are a few small things that will be useful such as having a list of my immunisations but I don't think it will be a big deal until something goes really wrong health wise.

Some other benefits of a central record might be:
1) Managing 'doctor shopping', and also making it easier for people who genuinely need schedule 8 drugs to get a prescription wherever they are.   
2) Taking the pressure off parents and carers to remember everything about their loved one,  and making it more feasible for someone other than the primary carer to support someone at medical appointments.
3) Reducing the need for people with long and complex medical histories to explain then to every new professional they see.

Looking through my MHR there does seem to be a lot of control over giving and restricting access to particular professionals, and the ability to review everyone who has accessed your record, but I am not sure how well this works

I fully support people opting out and raising hell about the privacy concerns though, it will make the system better.

[limeandpepper]

Thanks for the two counter-arguments!

I wonder if it is possible for someone to just choose to upload whatever details they're happy to make accessible to medical professionals? E.g. blood type, vaccinations, etc... that aren't so much of a big deal for most people as far as personal stuff goes, and for the things they want to keep private, they don't put it on the record at all. My understanding is that at the moment, you get to restrict access to things you want to keep private, but that means it's still there, which is a problem.

[nnls]

Thanks for the two counter-arguments!

I wonder if it is possible for someone to just choose to upload whatever details they're happy to make accessible to medical professionals? E.g. blood type, vaccinations, etc... that aren't so much of a big deal for most people as far as personal stuff goes, and for the things they want to keep private, they don't put it on the record at all. My understanding is that at the moment, you get to restrict access to things you want to keep private, but that means it's still there, which is a problem.

I think you can restrict information and choose to have documents removed / restricted if you wish. But I havent looked into it properly

[Model96]

I'm out. Too intrusive for me.