Collection and sharing of health information in mental health and related systems in Australia: perspectives of people who access mental health services

Abstract Background Information sharing and information privacy are important issues in mental health services. Yet the perspectives of Australians who access mental health services about these issues are poorly understood. This article addresses the research question: What are the concerns of peopl...

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Main Authors: Anne Honey, Nicola Hancock, Helen Glover, Justin Newton Scanlan, Yidan Cao, Andrew Povolny, Mark Orr, Grenville Rose, Sumathi Govindasamy, Lorraine Smith, Naseem Ahmadapour
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-12-01
Series:BMC Psychiatry
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-024-06347-1
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author Anne Honey
Nicola Hancock
Helen Glover
Justin Newton Scanlan
Yidan Cao
Andrew Povolny
Mark Orr
Grenville Rose
Sumathi Govindasamy
Lorraine Smith
Naseem Ahmadapour
author_facet Anne Honey
Nicola Hancock
Helen Glover
Justin Newton Scanlan
Yidan Cao
Andrew Povolny
Mark Orr
Grenville Rose
Sumathi Govindasamy
Lorraine Smith
Naseem Ahmadapour
author_sort Anne Honey
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Information sharing and information privacy are important issues in mental health services. Yet the perspectives of Australians who access mental health services about these issues are poorly understood. This article addresses the research question: What are the concerns of people who use mental health services about the collection and use of their health information in mental health and related systems in Australia? Methods Participants were 16 people who had accessed mental health services and were involved in a series of co-design workshops as part of a larger study. Focused group activities were conducted in which participants were asked to discuss and create a visual map to describe their collective experiences of sharing information relating to mental health and recovery. The data were analysed using qualitative content analysis and the coding techniques of constant comparative analysis. Results Participants expressed a sense of unknowability about the information held and accessed by various organisations. They described providing information to a wide variety of entities, though not always in a free or informed way. They believed other information held about them had been generated and/or shared by people other than themselves, often without their knowledge or consent. Participants reported that both the collection and storage of this information involved risks for them, and they sometimes restricted the information they provided. To improve their comfort with the use of their information, participants recommended customised and transparent information collection; individuals’ access and input to their own information; and use of information only for their benefit. Conclusions Trust is key to positive experiences of information provision and information sharing. Central to establishing trust are transparent practices that facilitate greater choice and control.
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spelling doaj-art-6f3145d268d44d3792f2b540e25735062025-08-20T02:39:55ZengBMCBMC Psychiatry1471-244X2024-12-0124111310.1186/s12888-024-06347-1Collection and sharing of health information in mental health and related systems in Australia: perspectives of people who access mental health servicesAnne Honey0Nicola Hancock1Helen Glover2Justin Newton Scanlan3Yidan Cao4Andrew Povolny5Mark Orr6Grenville Rose7Sumathi Govindasamy8Lorraine Smith9Naseem Ahmadapour10Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of SydneyFaculty of Medicine and Health, The University of SydneyEnlightened ConsultantsFaculty of Medicine and Health, The University of SydneyFaculty of Medicine and Health, The University of SydneyFaculty of Medicine and Health, The University of SydneyFlourish AustraliaFaculty of Medicine and Health, The University of SydneyFlourish AustraliaFaculty of Medicine and Health, The University of SydneyFaculty of Medicine and Health, The University of SydneyAbstract Background Information sharing and information privacy are important issues in mental health services. Yet the perspectives of Australians who access mental health services about these issues are poorly understood. This article addresses the research question: What are the concerns of people who use mental health services about the collection and use of their health information in mental health and related systems in Australia? Methods Participants were 16 people who had accessed mental health services and were involved in a series of co-design workshops as part of a larger study. Focused group activities were conducted in which participants were asked to discuss and create a visual map to describe their collective experiences of sharing information relating to mental health and recovery. The data were analysed using qualitative content analysis and the coding techniques of constant comparative analysis. Results Participants expressed a sense of unknowability about the information held and accessed by various organisations. They described providing information to a wide variety of entities, though not always in a free or informed way. They believed other information held about them had been generated and/or shared by people other than themselves, often without their knowledge or consent. Participants reported that both the collection and storage of this information involved risks for them, and they sometimes restricted the information they provided. To improve their comfort with the use of their information, participants recommended customised and transparent information collection; individuals’ access and input to their own information; and use of information only for their benefit. Conclusions Trust is key to positive experiences of information provision and information sharing. Central to establishing trust are transparent practices that facilitate greater choice and control.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-024-06347-1
spellingShingle Anne Honey
Nicola Hancock
Helen Glover
Justin Newton Scanlan
Yidan Cao
Andrew Povolny
Mark Orr
Grenville Rose
Sumathi Govindasamy
Lorraine Smith
Naseem Ahmadapour
Collection and sharing of health information in mental health and related systems in Australia: perspectives of people who access mental health services
BMC Psychiatry
title Collection and sharing of health information in mental health and related systems in Australia: perspectives of people who access mental health services
title_full Collection and sharing of health information in mental health and related systems in Australia: perspectives of people who access mental health services
title_fullStr Collection and sharing of health information in mental health and related systems in Australia: perspectives of people who access mental health services
title_full_unstemmed Collection and sharing of health information in mental health and related systems in Australia: perspectives of people who access mental health services
title_short Collection and sharing of health information in mental health and related systems in Australia: perspectives of people who access mental health services
title_sort collection and sharing of health information in mental health and related systems in australia perspectives of people who access mental health services
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-024-06347-1
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