Connected care: protecting patient privacy and security

The expansion of Australia’s centralized digital medical records system, My Health Record, has been completed, allowing for improved care across various health services. However, nearly 300,000 Australians have opted out of the system due to privacy and security concerns. Establishing a trust relationship among patients, care providers, and digital services is necessary, with secure systems that maintain user control. Balancing health data interoperability with patient privacy is a challenge, but opportunities for research and predictions in healthcare exist. Patient control, seamless experiences, and strong authentication and authorization are crucial for widespread adoption and trust in digital healthcare.