Digital Health and AI Tools

How privacy, consent, and accuracy are considered in everyday medical care

What digital health means for you

Digital health covers tools such as online bookings, telehealth, electronic prescriptions, test result portals, and shared electronic medical records. Some services also use artificial intelligence (AI), which refers to software that analyses data and produces summaries, prompts, or pattern matches. These systems aim to improve efficiency and coordination of care, yet they also raise reasonable questions about privacy, consent, and accuracy.

How medical record privacy is protected

Your medical record contains sensitive personal information, so it sits under stronger protections than most other data. In Australia, privacy laws and professional standards restrict who can access your record and for what purpose. Health services use safeguards such as secure logins, role-based access (so staff only see what they need), encryption, and audit logs that record when records are opened. No system is completely risk-free, but clinics design layered protections and clear response processes to reduce misuse and manage breaches if they occur.

What consent looks like in real life

Consent means understanding how your information is used and agreeing to that use. In routine care, your information is shared between clinicians and services involved in your treatment—such as pathology, imaging, or pharmacies—within legal and ethical boundaries. When information is used beyond direct care, for example for research, service improvement, or developing AI tools, you are usually informed and offered a choice. Consent also applies to practical decisions, such as linking apps or devices to your clinic record.

Why accuracy matters in digital systems

Digital records guide decisions, referrals, and follow-up, so accuracy is essential. Errors can arise from outdated details, missing context, or simple mix-ups. If AI tools draw on record data, those errors can influence the output. AI systems also make their own mistakes, sometimes producing confident statements that do not fit your situation. For this reason, clinicians treat AI as a support—not a decision-maker—and check its outputs against your history, examination, and test results.

Questions you are entitled to ask

You have a right to understand how your information is handled. You can ask what data a digital tool uses, where it is stored, who can access it, and whether it is shared with other organisations. You can also ask how identity is verified, how access is monitored, and how to request corrections if something looks wrong. Trustworthy services answer these questions clearly and without defensiveness.

Making informed choices with your GP

Digital tools often improve convenience and coordination, but your comfort matters. It is appropriate to discuss privacy, consent, and AI use in plain language and to ask for written information where available. A GP conversation helps you understand how technology supports your care while keeping human judgement, accountability, and confidentiality at the centre.

This article provides general health information only and does not replace medical advice. Please speak with your GP for personalised care.