For older people and frail people, the long-term benefit of medicines reduces and the potential for harm from adverse effects increases. When the benefit–risk balance changes in this way, medicine review and optimisation are important to simplify the therapeutic regimen, reduce inappropriate medicines and minimise risks. In this article, pharmacist prescriber Linda Bryant uses two case studies to illustrate important considerations during medicine reviews
Private: Our bodies, our selves: Know the legal basis of any request for a patient’s health information
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Private: Our bodies, our selves: Know the legal basis of any request for a patient’s health information
Wednesday 21 June 2023, 01:30 AM

Privacy code rules and legislation place restrictions on when it is suitable for health practitioners to share a patient’s information [Image: Freepik.com]
Must a GP give patient information to another health agency or an insurer simply because they ask for it? Sometimes, yes, writes Michael Webster
Patients entrust their health practitioner with sensitive information – details about their bodies, lifestyle, mental wellbeing, emotions and behaviou
Kia ora and welcome to New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa
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References
- Collection of medical notes by insurers – Inquiry by the Privacy Commissioner. Privacy Commissioner (online June 2009).
- Case Note 226245 [2013] NZ PrivCmr 2: Over-collection of medical notes by insurance company. Privacy Commissioner (online 16 September 2014).