Ethical issues in HealthConnect's shared electronic health record system

Many countries are in the process of implementing systems of shared electronic health records. This article explores some of the ethical concerns raised by Australia's proposed HealthConnect system which aims to create electronic event summaries of health information. Three areas of ethical concern relating to confidentiality, consent and the involvement of the private sector are examined. It is argued that unless the HealthConnect system is firmly grounded in policy based on ethical considerations, patients may not want to "opt in" to it.