title: Privacy considerations in the context of an Australian observational database.
abstract: Observational databases are increasingly acknowledged for their value in clinical investigation. Australian general practice in particular presents an exciting opportunity to examine treatment in a natural setting. The paper explores issues such as privacy and confidentiality--foremost considerations when conducting this form of pharmacoepidemiological research. Australian legislation is currently addressing these exact issues in order to establish clear directives regarding ethical concerns. The development of a pharmacoepidemiological database arising from the integration of computerized Australian general practice records is described in addition, to the challenges associated with creating a database which considers patient privacy. The database known as 'Medic-GP', presently contains more than 950,000 clinical notes (including consultations, pathology, diagnostic imaging and adverse reactions) over a 5-year time period and relates to 55,000 patients. The paper then details a retrospective study which utilized the database to examine the interaction between antibiotic prescribing and patient outcomes from a community perspective, following a policy intervention. This study illustrates the application of computerized general practice records in research.
authors: Data Analysis Unit, Department of General Practice, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, South Australia 5005, Australia. katherine.duszynski@adelaide.edu.au
authors: K M
authors: KM
authors: Duszynski
authors: J J
authors: JJ
authors: Beilby
authors: J E
authors: JE
authors: Marley
authors: D C
authors: DC
authors: Walker
authors: N L
authors: NL
authors: Pratt
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D003219:Confidentiality / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D016208:Databases, Factual; D028744:Ethics Committees, Research; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized; D017891:Pharmacoepidemiology / Q000592:standards; D018907:Privacy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence