28 May Development of a Framework for the Secondary Use of My Health Record (MHR) system
The My Health Record (MHR) system is an online summary of key health information for every Australian unless they have opted out of having a record. The Australian Government needed assistance to develop a Framework to provide a blueprint for the secondary use of data in the MHR system for policy analysis, research, quality and safety measurement, public health, performance management and other business applications. Secondary use of health data can enhance health care experiences for patients, expand knowledge about disease and appropriate treatments, strengthen understanding about effectiveness and efficiency of service delivery, support public health and security goals, and aid businesses in meeting consumer needs.
We worked closely with the Department of Health, multiple key stakeholders (consumers, researchers, government agencies and healthcare providers) and international experts to develop the Framework and an associated Implementation Plan. Our approach involved designing and executing a national consultation process about the circumstances in which it would be appropriate to allow the secondary use of MHR system data, leveraging better practice and learnings internationally and drawing on stakeholder feedback to draft the Framework that sought to balance secondary use of MHR data for public benefit against any risk to an individual’s privacy.
The resultant “Framework to guide the secondary use of My Health Record system data” was released by the Minister of Health in May 2018.