The impracticable nature of consent for research use of linked administrative health records

A requirement to seek individual consent for use of linked administrative health records is impracticable and contrary to the public interest in health and medical research. In this context, consent can be impracticable because it cannot be put into practice with available means or because it would render the research results unsuitable for practical use or purposes. The failure of a system of individual consent imposed on a major Australian longitudinal study illustrates these points. More support is needed from government for access by public health researchers to basic Medicare and other administrative health data to provide valid information on health service trends and preventable causes of illness and premature death.