"Instead of relying on guesswork, I had a clear picture from the start"

Northern Rivers podiatrist David Shaw explains why he started using My Health Record, and how it changed the way he approaches complex new patient appointments.

As a sole practitioner, David Shaw sees a wide range of clients, including people recovering from surgery and those managing complex musculoskeletal conditions. A first appointment with a new patient in those circumstances involves a lot of background information gathering, and for a long time that meant relying largely on what the patient could tell him.

"People often have limited memory of what happened during a hospital admission, or they are not sure exactly what procedures were performed," David says. "You piece together what you can, but you are always aware that there might be something important you are missing."

What changed

Since David started using My Health Record, he can access discharge summaries, imaging results and clinical notes from other providers before or during a first consultation. Not every patient has a complete record, but when the information is there, it changes the shape of the appointment.

"Instead of spending the first part of the session trying to establish what has already happened, I can get straight to the clinical work," he says. "It saves time and it means I am making decisions based on verified information rather than what the patient thinks they remember."

The practical difference

The change David notices most is in his confidence going into a complex case. Where he previously might have needed to make follow-up calls to hospitals or other treating clinicians to track down documentation, that information is increasingly available through the record.

He is also able to move more quickly into treatment planning. "The first appointment used to be heavily weighted towards information gathering," he says. "Now I can focus more on the patient in front of me."

Advice for other allied health professionals

David's advice to other practitioners is straightforward. Do not rely solely on what patients can recall, particularly for complex or post-surgical cases.

"Checking My Health Record upfront can save significant time and give you clinically relevant information that would otherwise take several steps to obtain," he says. "It is worth building it into your standard preparation for new appointments."

This story was shared in partnership with the Australian Podiatry Association. If your association has a member story to tell, contact AHPA at communications@ahpa.com.au