Take control of health care

Australians should take control of their own health care says Australian consultant physician and rheumatologist, Dr Daniel Lewis.

Following success in his own practice in helping patients take charge of their own health care information, Dr Lewis has now made available his simple system - My Health Organiser - to allow patients to easily keep track of their medical information.

"It is about having more control over your own health care," Dr Lewis said.

Available through Bairnsdale Sunrise Rotary, My Health Organiser is not only a personal record keeping system, it enables communication between a patient's various health care professionals.

The Medical Journal of Australia recently reported that 25 patients per day die in Australian hospitals as a result of preventable medical error. In some cases these errors were caused by lack of adequate information.

Having lists of medications, medical procedures and past health events close at hand provides a ready reference for doctors and a means of communication between your family doctor, specialists and other healthcare professionals. It allows health professionals to make the most informed and safest recommendations about your health.

An estimated one in three pathology or imaging tests ordered for Australian patients prove unnecessary to appropriate diagnosis and treatment strategies. It is not unusual for these tests, which always come at an expense to patient or taxpayer, to be duplicated simply because the doctor is unaware the test has already been done.

Having your medical records in one place and in your charge reduces your risk of repeated test or medication errors.

Dr Lewis, who designed My Health Organiser as a way to help his own patients, says that the portable health record makes holistic, cost-effective and smoothly coordinated health care a reality for those who want to play an active role in their own health plan.

"My Health Organiser is the most effective item to have with you at each consultation," he says. "It makes healthcare safer, more holistic, cost effective and coordinated."
"My Health Organiser" can be purchased through Bairnsdale Sunrise Rotary Club members, or through the contact details on this website. Cost is $30, of which $8 goes towards Rotary health projects and other club programs.