Digital health updates for health professionals – November 2020

Below are some recent updates in the area of digital health for health professionals includes steps for digital self-defence, electronic transfer of prescriptions and My Health Record.

Six steps for digital self-defence from The Australian Cyber Security Centre

The Australian Digital Health Agency is promoting six practical steps for digital self-defence against attacks such as phishing and ransomware. These steps can protect your work and personal information.

1. Build security awareness with the Digital Health Security Awareness eLearning course
2. Keep your software up to date
3. Use strong passwords and implement multi-factor authentication
4. Back up your data regularly
5. Do not respond to unsolicited phishing emails, texts and calls
6. If you fall victim to ransomware, avoid paying the ransom

Tony Kitzelmann, the Agency’s Chief Information Security Officer said “Like a scheduled health check-up, we encourage everyone to take time to review their online presence, to ensure the appropriateness of their published personal and professional information and check if it puts them at risk from a targeted cyber-attack.”

Free Cyber Security Service

Unsure if something is a cyber threat? The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) provide advice for individuals and has a free alert service via the ACSC webpage about the latest online threats.

Electronic Transfer of Prescriptions – information for patients

• Electronic prescribing provides an option for prescribers and their patients to use an electronic Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) prescription. Paper prescriptions will still be available. Read more here.
• Watch the video from eRx (script exchange) or read an overview about electronic prescriptions.

My Health Record (MHR) Mental Health Toolkit and Webinar for healthcare providers

The Australian Digital Health Agency has just launched an updated MHR Mental Health Toolkit for healthcare providers. These resources show how MHR can be included into mental health consumer journeys and clinical workflows.

Big jump in My Health Record (MHR) from 2019 to 2020

The challenges of 2020 with bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic have demonstrated the need for accessible patient medical information at any time. GPs and hospitals are increasingly sharing patient medical information by uploading and viewing documents in MHR. Independent Clinical Advisor to the ADHA, Dr Steve Hambleton, said more and more healthcare workers were realising the practical benefits of digital health.

“I want hospitals and specialists to have rapid access to relevant information about my patients when they are caring for them, and as a GP, when a patient comes back to see me having been discharged from hospital or with a report from a specialist, I value what those hospitals and specialists share and upload to MHR for the ongoing care I provide,” he said.