Ethical considerations regarding the use of pooled data from electronic health records in general practice

doi:10.31128/AJGP-08-21-6140

. 2022 Jul;51(7):537-540.

doi: 10.31128/AJGP-08-21-6140.

Ethical considerations regarding the use of pooled data from electronic health records in general practice

Kylie Vuong¹, Rowena Ivers², Sally Hall Dykgraaf³, Michael Nixon⁴, Gail Roberts⁵, Siaw-Teng Liaw⁶

Affiliations

¹ FRACGP, PhD, MIPH, Associate Professor in Primary Care and Academic Lead in General Practice, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Griffith University, Qld.
² MBBS, MPH, PhD, FRACGP, Academic Leader @ Community-Based Health Education and Chair of Phase 3, School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW.
³ RN, Grad Cert Clin Man, PhD Scholar, Action Research, COVID-19 Primary Care Response Group (seconded), Primary Care Division, Australian Government Department of Health, ACT; Research Manager, Rural Clinical School, ANU Medical School, College of Health and Medicine, Australian National University, ACT.
⁴ OAM, Th Dip, MBBS, FRACGP, Senior Medical Officer, Galangoor Duwalami Primary Healthcare Service, Hervey Bay, Qld.
⁵ RN Div. 1, BA, MA (Soc Sci), GradDipCounselling, Cert IV in Assessment and Workplace Training, Senior Project Officer @ Research and Ethics Officer, RACGP, Vic. gail.roberts@racgp.org.au.
⁶ PhD, FRACGP, FIAHSI, FACMI, FAIDH, Emeritus Professor @ Head, WHO Collaborating Centre (eHealth), UNSW, Sydney, NSW.

PMID: 35773166
DOI: 10.31128/AJGP-08-21-6140

Free article

Ethical considerations regarding the use of pooled data from electronic health records in general practice

Kylie Vuong et al. Aust J Gen Pract. 2022 Jul.

Free article

. 2022 Jul;51(7):537-540.

doi: 10.31128/AJGP-08-21-6140.

Authors

Kylie Vuong¹, Rowena Ivers², Sally Hall Dykgraaf³, Michael Nixon⁴, Gail Roberts⁵, Siaw-Teng Liaw⁶

Affiliations

¹ FRACGP, PhD, MIPH, Associate Professor in Primary Care and Academic Lead in General Practice, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Griffith University, Qld.
² MBBS, MPH, PhD, FRACGP, Academic Leader @ Community-Based Health Education and Chair of Phase 3, School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW.
³ RN, Grad Cert Clin Man, PhD Scholar, Action Research, COVID-19 Primary Care Response Group (seconded), Primary Care Division, Australian Government Department of Health, ACT; Research Manager, Rural Clinical School, ANU Medical School, College of Health and Medicine, Australian National University, ACT.
⁴ OAM, Th Dip, MBBS, FRACGP, Senior Medical Officer, Galangoor Duwalami Primary Healthcare Service, Hervey Bay, Qld.
⁵ RN Div. 1, BA, MA (Soc Sci), GradDipCounselling, Cert IV in Assessment and Workplace Training, Senior Project Officer @ Research and Ethics Officer, RACGP, Vic. gail.roberts@racgp.org.au.
⁶ PhD, FRACGP, FIAHSI, FACMI, FAIDH, Emeritus Professor @ Head, WHO Collaborating Centre (eHealth), UNSW, Sydney, NSW.

PMID: 35773166
DOI: 10.31128/AJGP-08-21-6140

Abstract

Background: It is important that research conducted in general practice is ethical and technically robust. Electronic health records (EHRs) have high potential to contribute to research and policy that benefits both individual patients and the broader community. General practitioners are increasingly approached to make EHRs available for research, but they also have ethical and legal obligations to ensure personal information remains confidential and is handled safely.

Objective: The aim of this article is to discuss the ethical considerations associated with the pooling of general practice EHRs for research.

Discussion: There are associated benefits and potential risks to patients and practices when using pooled EHR data for research. Careful consideration and judgement are required to ensure ethical requirements are met, with particular attention to informed consent, data quality and confidentiality.

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Ethical considerations regarding the use of pooled data from electronic health records in general practice

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Ethical considerations regarding the use of pooled data from electronic health records in general practice

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