As digital health continues to evolve and become embedded in everyday practice, we’ve been sharing this short cyber health series to help OTs build confidence and stay safe online.

In this final edition, we explore how to use digital health systems safely and confidently – including practical considerations when engaging with systems such as My Health Record.

Session 3: Using digital health systems safely and confidently

Digital health systems are becoming a routine part of healthcare delivery, and occupational therapists are increasingly expected to engage with them in a safe, informed and professional way.

Tools like My Health Record can improve communication, coordination and continuity of care, but they also come with important responsibilities around privacy, access and security.

What this means in practice

If your practice uses My Health Record, it's important to:

• have a security and access policy in place
• ensure staff are trained and authorised
• limit access to clinicians involved in care
• only allow authorised clinicians to upload information.

You can review detailed participation requirements via the Australian Digital Health Agency.

Understanding privacy and control

My Health Record includes strong safeguards such as secure logins, audit logging and legislative protections. Patients can also control how their information is accessed, including restricting documents or receiving alerts when their records are viewed.

Practical guidance on developing a security and access policy is available from the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.

Build your capability

Training and resources are available to support you and your team to confidently use digital health systems:

• Australian Digital Health Agency training portal
• My Health Record education and resources
• Data breach and guidance

Why this matters for OTs

As digital systems become increasingly embedded in healthcare delivery, developing confidence in using them safely is becoming an essential part of practice.

The good news is that building your capability doesn’t have to happen all at once. Small, practical steps can help you strengthen privacy, protect client information and use digital health systems with greater confidence.