Member feedback guides AMA decision to oppose changes to My Health Record access
The AMA has opposed the Department of Health and Aged Care’s proposal to remove the seven-day access delay for results on My Health Record.
The AMA has argued against the removal of the seven-day access delay for results on My Health Record.
Under the Department of Health and Aged Care’s proposal, the current seven-day delay between when a healthcare provider uploads a diagnostic imaging or pathology result to My Health Record and when a patient can see it would be removed.
This means patients would be able to immediately see their results as soon as they are shared to My Health Record.
The AMA made a submission to the department, arguing against the removal of this delay.
The AMA’s position was informed by a survey of members, which showed about 60 per cent of responses were unsupportive of the health department’s proposal.
Members cited negative impacts on patients, potential for increased work burden on GPs and breaks in continuity of care as some of the many reasons for not supporting it.
While the AMA submission doesn’t support the proposed change, it leaves open the possibility of engaging with the government to further fine tune this policy, should the department proceed with the change regardless of stakeholder feedback.
This is important because broader application of this approach needs to be carefully designed with strong clinical guidance.
Done well, it can provide patients with more information about their health status and contribute to informed discussions with their doctor. But if not done well, it has the potential to cause unnecessary worry for patients or lead to patients failing to access care for their broader health needs.
