Avant has worked with the Royal Australian College of General
Practitioners (RACGP) to develop new guiding principles on the use of email in
general practice.
"The use of email is part of everyday life, so it comes
as no surprise that GPs are increasingly receiving requests from patients, other
practitioners and third parties for health information to be sent
electronically," Dr Penny Browne, Avant's Senior Medical Officer said.
The Australian Privacy Principles regard health information as one of the
most sensitive types of personal information. Health practitioners have a
fundamental role in ensuring the privacy of patient health information and
should take reasonable steps to safeguard patient information when sending by
email.
"GPs who have their patients' records and private health
information entrusted to them take their privacy obligations very seriously," Dr
Browne said.
"The resources developed by RACGP are guides which will
assist practices to decide on how they will communicate health information
safely and securely."
The resources
include:
- Guiding principles on using
email in general practice
- Privacy and security matrix
- Secure
communications in general practice – product list
The guiding
principles and matrix can be found on RACGP's
website.
Useful links
Avant Guide to
Privacy Reforms
Avant
Privacy Reforms Checklist
Office of the Australian Information
Commissioner – Guide
to securing personal information: 'Reasonable steps' to protect personal
information
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