Freedom of information: can we afford to be anything but clinical?

Following the introduction of the Freedom of Information Code and Act in Victoria there have been numerous requests seeking the opportunity for patients and ex-patients to view their own records. This paper explores the clinical context within which patients traditionally have had, or not had, access to their own records, and the ways in which this is now altered by freedom of information legislation. The view is put forward that such disclosure in the past has always been within a clinical context whereas now there is potential for legislative intrusion into the psychiatrist/patient relationship of which the patient record is a part. A number of case examples is provided to exemplify the issues involved and the approach that the Victorian Health Commission has taken to resolve some of the difficulties.