And that's why a new online record system may be the answer some older Australians are looking for.
The Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record (PCEHR) system will be launched by the federal government next year.
The online system will enable patients to choose which information they would like to be recorded electronically.
If you choose to have an eHealth record, you will be able to enter details about yourself, such as medications taken and any allergies you may have.
Doctors can enter the results of any tests or medical conditions.
Registration for the online health system will be accessible to everyone online through Medicare and many other healthcare facilities.
Who has access to the information and what they can see will be controlled by the patient.
GP Access will launch a trial of the system in January.
GP Access service manager John Baillie said the eHealth system would be particularly useful for the elderly.
He said retired people tended to travel a lot and may need to see a GP or pharmacist out of their local area.
"For example, you could have a scenario with a 60-plus grey nomad couple that need to get their blood pressure medication refilled," he said.
"To get it renewed they would need a script - and all the information necessary would be present."
GP Access is looking for Hunter residents to take part in the trial from January.
Go to ehealthinfo.gov.au for more information.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Mark Connors
Quelle/Source: The Newcastle Star, 16.11.2011
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