Australians support the introduction of an Individual Electronic Health Record (IEHR) and would agree to their medical records being included in the service, a national opinion poll has shown.
The poll, conducted on behalf of the National E-Health Transition Authority (NEHTA), showed 82 per cent of respondents believe an IEHR would save lives and improve health services by having important medical information immediately accessible.
In addition 77 per cent of the 2700 people surveyed across Australia indicated they would want their records added to the service.
"This research confirms Australians endorse the use of electronic health records if they are introduced with all the necessary levels of privacy and security," said NEHTA chief executive Peter Fleming.
The poll also indicated that Australians feel strongly about choice in relation to the IEHR. Seventy eight per cent of respondents believed the IEHR service should be voluntary.
Security and safety around the electronic storage of medical information was also a key consideration with 79 per cent indicating it was important any future IEHR offers patients the ability to quarantine sensitive or very personal medical information.
Stakeholders have also voiced support for an IEHR provided appropriate privacy management, including sensitivity labels and an audit functionality, was adopted.
NEHTA is currently working on projects to form the foundations of an IEHR..