Went to a new clinic today. They asked for my residential address and said they don’t use email, just phone number for contact. I’m uncomfortable giving out my real details.

A couple of questions:

  • Can they refuse to treat me if I don’t provide an address?
  • Can they refuse to treat me if I don’t provide a phone number?
  • Can they refuse to treat me if I insist to provide an email instead of a phone number?

Keen to hear what others in Aus do. Thanks.

  • whacking7436@aussie.zoneOPEnglish
    12·
    16 days ago

    Thank you, this is very informative.

    Though I have to argue that email is better than SMS, since SMS messages aren’t encrypted at all.

    • Onomatopoeia@lemmy.cafeEnglish
      51·
      16 days ago

      Email isn’t really encrypted either, depending.

      You have no more control or assurance email will be encrypted than you do SMS. Neither one is - in any way - a secure communication channel.

      Which is why no medical provider I’ve dealt with in the last 10 years sends anything sensitive via email (or sms).

      They send an email/sms letting you know there’s a message for you, and to go login to their system to retrieve the message or test result.