My Health Record needs overhaul to be useful for Australians

The Royal Australian College of GPs is calling on the Federal Government to overhaul My Health Record to make it fit-for-purpose for patients and GPs after a nationwide survey found 31% of GPs rarely or never use it. 

The early findings from the RACGP’s annual Health of the Nation survey come after a Productivity Commission report found My Health Record is ‘plagued by incomplete records and poor useability,’ with less than 2% of documents being seen by GPs. 

RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins said: “My Health Record can’t fulfill its potential to be the one-stop store for Australians’ health records without investment to improve its useability. 

“It’s a big job to improve our flagship national health data system, and we recognise that the Australian Government and the Australian Digital Health Agency are taking steps to this end. However, this work must continue to be prioritised because it will have significant benefits for Australians, and our health system.   

“With improved useability, My Health Record will support better patient care, and better health for Australians.  

“It will also make our health system more efficient and generate significant savings for the health budget – the Productivity Commission also estimated better use of electronic medical records systems can save up to $5.4 billion each year by reducing the time patients spend in hospital, and $355 million in duplicated tests in public hospitals.  

“The potential savings in general practice and other health settings would also be substantial. This money could then be re-invested back into reducing out-of-pocket costs for patients to help in the current high cost of living climate.  

“We’re calling for the Federal Government to overhaul My Health Record to improve its useability for Australians, GPs and other health professionals. 

“It needs to capture more information for patients and be easier for GPs to search. It should share information with GP practice software and notify GPs when patients records are updated to support patient care and safety. 

“Automation will also make it more useable, such as automating data capture from GP records when patients consent. 

“The other critical thing the Government needs to do is increase usage among other specialists, allied health, paramedics, and other health services, such as with training and incentives. This is key, because we all need to be working together off the same medical records to get the best outcomes for our patients.”