Citizens, Patients and Policy: A Challenge for Australia's National Electronic Health Record (Forum) (Report‪)‬

Introduction Australia, like many other developed countries, is in the process of implementing a national shared electronic health record (EHR) system. This implementation has raised a number of interesting policy issues, including those concerning patient privacy, patient identification, and the management of patient consent for participation and for primary and secondary use of information. Achieving effective citizen participation in the development of public policy is an important part of a participatory democracy. Although the use of interest groups as proxies may be convenient, it may not provide a reliable substitute for direct citizen engagement. Patient organisations have been actively consulted about Australia's EHR, and involved in discussions about relevant policy issues. However, the development of the underlying policy framework does not appear to have involved citizens directly, other than in their role as patients.