I have been sitting absorbing this idea of having an internet based health record system….  While I think its VITAL that patients have a comprehensive record of their health care, I personally feel cautious about participating in this.

In this age when information ‘by accident’ is released and published online, sites/companies are hacked, any employee can access information within their company, too many opportunities for errors can occur. this problem has not disappeared and has not been mastered.  A friend of mine brought up a point regarding this topic and Google’s involvement in it;  if Google ‘reads’ your emails now searching content and basing advertising on key words in your emails, what will they be doing with the information in your health records?

Also, I notice mostly insurance companies, employers, web sites (like google, microsoft and webmd) and some individual providers are participating in this new network, but it doesn’t mention hospitals.  Doesn’t that make you wonder why?

Remember, personal health records are not subject to federal privacy laws.

I think I will opt out of this wave and let it play out.  In the mean time, keep great recods and bring them to your doctor’s apointments.  They’ll love you for it!