PRIVACY INFORMATION AND CONSENT
We are highly committed to your privacy and confidentiality. In accordance with the recent amendments to the Commonwealth Privacy Act 1988 we need to let you know the following:
- In the process of your assessment and/or therapy your psychologist will collect personal
information about you (and/or your child if applicable) that is relevant to our understanding of
the difficulties for which you are seeking assistance; - The information will be collected from you (and/or your child if applicable) through clinical
interview and standardized questionnaires and/or tests. If there is a requirement to seek
information from collateral sources, we will ask for your written consent. - All information collected will be held within an electronic file under the safest possible
conditions available for privacy, as per government regulations; - The information that we hold about you (and/or your child, if applicable) is held and used for
the sole purpose of assisting you with the difficulties for which you are seeking assistance; - All personal information gathered by your psychologist will remain confidential and secure,
except where:- It is subpoenaed by the Court;
- Failure to disclose the information would place you or another person at serious or
imminent risk; - Your prior approval has been obtained to:
- provide a written report or letter to another professional or agency (e.g. a
school, GP, psychiatrist or pediatrician); - discuss the material with another person (e.g. a parent or employer); or
Disclosure is otherwise required or authorized by law.
- provide a written report or letter to another professional or agency (e.g. a
- If at any time you wish to access your personal information, please put this request either verbally or in writing to your psychologist. There are conditions under which psychologists may refuse access to your personal information. Please note that personal information does not include your psychologist’s own notes, including their clinical impressions, observations or formulations, or test forms that are protected by copyright laws.
- If you believe that a breach of the Australian Privacy Principles has been made, please make your complaint to the Clinic Director in writing.
- The Clinic Director will make investigations to seek a satisfactory resolution.
- If the resolution is not satisfactory, it is possible to make a complaint to the OAIC: www.oaic.gov.au
Risk Management
Due to the nature of Telehealth services, it is the responsibility of the client and Think Free Psychology Clinic to understand the possible risks associated with this service and implement specific strategies to manage the possibility of risk. Possible risks include:
Privacy in Online Communication
As Telehealth consultations involve communication between the client and Think Free in an electronic format, there are potential risks or vulnerabilities to security and privacy due to technology. There are risks of personal information being misused, interference, loss of information, modification, and unauthorized access. Think Free will take reasonable steps to protect personal information from these risks. The use of encrypted Telehealth technologies will be used at Think Free to minimise these risks. However, the client has a responsibility to protect their information by accessing a private room for their Telehealth consultation, using a private email address for communication, and protecting psychological information in digital format (e.g., homework that may be prescribed as part of your treatment).
Technology
There is a risk of delays in treatment occurring due to interruptions and/or failures of electronic equipment. Think Free will take reasonable steps to ensure there are no delays in treatment and will not be responsible for client equipment and functioning. A protocol for technology interruptions during Telehealth consultations
will be established before commencing treatment.
Contingency Plan
Interactions via Telehealth, compared to face-to-face, may limit the provider’s ability to undertake a comprehensive mental state examination (as subtle cues may not be obvious via the Telehealth service). Given the limit to assessing risk, a risk contingency plan for managing situations during the client’s course of treatment will be established. A risk contingency plan will include at least two people known to the client, client location at each Telehealth session and contact details of available crisis services in the client’s local areas.
Crisis Service
Although Telehealth services are conducted via the Internet or mobile connections, Think Free is unable to provide a crisis service. If a client is experiencing an emergency, the client must follow their risk contingency plan and/or contact emergency services and/or proceed to the nearest emergency department for assistance. Clients are to follow communication protocols as discussed and agreed with their clinician at the commencement of treatment and according to their risk contingency plan.
Release of Information
Notes about your Telehealth sessions are maintained in the same manner that traditional psychotherapy notes are kept, as described above. All existing laws regarding access to your medical information and copies of your medical records apply to a Telehealth consultation. Any dissemination of information from the patient’s Telehealth interaction to other entities shall not occur without your written consent or otherwise required by law.
Consent
I have read and understood this information and am happy to proceed with my appointments at Think Free Psychology Clinic.