National Health Reform

Concept of Operations: Relating to the introduction of a Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record System

2.5 Principles

Eleven key principles have been used to inform the design and approach of the PCEHR System⁴:

1. Personally controlled: Individuals will be able to choose whether or not to have a PCEHR, and if they choose to have one, they will be able to set their own access controls.
2. Value: Deliver a PCEHR System that offers value to both individuals and their healthcare providers.
3. Trust: Deliver a PCEHR System that all users can trust is being governed effectively; individuals trust that their privacy has been addressed appropriately.
4. Confidence: Deliver a PCEHR System that users are confident in the quality and safety of the health information provided.
5. National infrastructure: Deliver core elements of PCEHR System infrastructure once, rather than duplicating development costs and efforts and increasing the likelihood of rework.
6. Stakeholder engagement: Actively engage key healthcare stakeholders in the design and delivery of the PCEHR System.
7. Incremental approach: Build the PCEHR System in an incremental and pragmatic manner, focusing initial investment in areas that deliver the greatest benefits.
8. Recognising different starting points: Balance active support for healthcare providers with less developed capability, while not constraining the ability for more advanced participants to progress.
9. Leverage: More effectively leverage and scale existing and planned eHealth activities, specifications and standards in the delivery of the PCEHR System.
10. Balancing alignment and independence: Drive alignment of PCEHR System implementation and adoption activities while not unnecessarily limiting the ability of participants and vendors to implement locally relevant solutions.
11. Relevant skills: Ensure sufficient numbers of skilled practitioners are available to support delivery of the PCEHR System.

4 These principles have been adapted from the seven principles outlined in the National E-Health Strategy [AHMC2008]. ‘The ‘personally controlled’, ‘value’ and ‘trust’ and ‘confidence’ principles have been added as additional principles.