pros and cons of confidentiality in healthcare

In fact, quite a lot of personal information is not protected at all. They can be printed or sent directly from the system in a digital file across email other online means. Pros and Cons of Technology in Healthcare. Get Your Custom Essay on, The Pros and Cons of the Confidentiality of Patients in an Era of Increased Socialized Medicine. Obstetriciangynecologists should be aware of how the process of the release of medical records of minors is addressed by their institution. WebConfidentiality refers to protection of privileged and private information shared during a health care encounter and in medical records that document the encounter 1. Statutes and regulations regarding medical record information should be updated to ensure this standard is achieved. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists In the latter situation, the laws usually provide protections against liability for disclosure. When feasible, obstetriciangynecologists and other health care providers should work with government agencies and legislative bodies to eliminate or mitigate the effect of laws that unduly restrict confidential health services for minor adolescents. Confidentiality protections for adolescents and young adults in the health care billing and insurance claims process. Bulk pricing was not found for item. We are a society strangely obsessed both with privacy and obtaining information. OpenNotes is a national initiative that encourages patient access to visit notes written by their health care providers 19. Sexual misconduct. Adolescents often have questions or concerns that they may feel embarrassed to talk about in front of their parents or guardians. The most obvious benefit of utilizing AI technology is its ability to improve patient experiences. References J Adolesc Health 2007;40:21826. WebDisadvantages of Paper Medical Records. Offering clinician note feedback. Ensure compliance by their workforce. This is because; if an individuals privacy is not protected or guaranteed, people find it hard to give complete and candid information about their health even to their own personal physicians leave alone to the insurer. This claim is endlessly repeated but deeply obscure. With appropriate safeguards, EHRs may offer more security than traditional paper-record systems. Online therapy, also known as teletherapy, virtual therapy, or internet/online counseling, among other names, rapidly expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it continues to grow. Employed physician in academic institution. Insurance companies may provide their policyholders discounted medical treatment by entering into agreements with doctors' offices and hospitals. All rights reserved. The Cons of Patients Confidentiality, Security, Rights, and Privacy During this Era of Socialized Medicine They are of the argument that privacy is in itself objectively valuable, as an important component of human well-being. Hospitals and office-based systems that currently use or are initiating OpenNotes should take steps to ensure that adolescent confidentiality is protected. Grilo SA, Catallozzi M, Santelli JS, Yan H, Song X, Heitel J, et al. Not socialized medicinean Israeli view of health care reform. Its just a matter of figuring out under what circumstances disclosures should occur. But what if a patient threatens suicide? Big data definitely Committee on Practice and Ambulatory Medicine. Available at: English A, Bass L, Boyle AD, Eshragh F. State minor consent laws: a summary . Implement systemwide changes: train front desk personnel and medical staff who work with EHRs and answer office phone calls to be aware of and advocate for the confidentiality of adolescent patients as they transition into the adult health care system Box 3. A Story of Ethics and HIV Disclosure. Published online on March 26, 2020.Copyright 2020 by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. The consequences of undermining this duty of confidence would be damaging to the individuals health and treatment. J Adolesc Health 2014;54:48790. Recent years have muddied our understanding of medical confidentiality. Web2 Pros and Cons of Managed Care in America Introduction I. WebProponents of the right to health care say that no one in one of the richest nations on earth should go without health care. Ensuring the confidentiality and security of patients data is primordial to the The Pros and Cons of Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) By Editorial Team. Technology Improving Healthcare in Hospitals: 4. 26th January 2022 Tech Digest Correspondent Health. Patient portals are mechanisms within the EHR system that provide patients with electronic access to their personal health record. Committee Opinion No. Don't use plagiarized sources. Consequentialist theory suggests that without assurances of confidentiality, patients are less likely to disclose important medical information to their doctors. This section outlines the mandatory reporting situations (those that require disclosure to specific authorities) as well as the permissive exceptions (those that allow a physician to use his or her own discretion in deciding whether to disclose a patients information). They are required to keep information about patients health private unless the patient give permission to release his/her health information (De Bord et al, 2013). Generally, parents or guardians and adolescents should be informed, both separately and together, that the information each of them shares with the health care provider will be treated as confidential. ACOG Committee Opinion No. When doctors share visit notes with patients: a study of patient and doctor perceptions of documentation errors, safety opportunities and the patient-doctor relationship. Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 is a law enacted by US congress in July 30, 2002. This initiative has been shown to potentially increase patient activation and engagement, as well as patient satisfaction, trust, and safety, and to improve the patientphysician relationship 20 21. A 2016 study demonstrated that, when given the opportunity, adolescents use of EHRs afforded enhanced medical care and, although they accessed the portal less for laboratory results, appointments, or prescriptions, adolescents did engage in frequent confidential communications with their health care providers through patient portals 4. or call toll-free from U.S.: (800) 762-2264 or (240) 547-2156 Copyright 2020 by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. There should be private conversation time between the health care provider and adolescent patient. The maintenance of patient confidentiality may be affected by the widespread adoption and integration of electronic health records (EHRs) in clinical care, which may necessitate a closer evaluation of the unique challenge this presents for providers of adolescent health care. If a person is under covered by this social health care insurance, this may hamper the life of this individual. WebHealth Care Providers: Any provider of medical or other health services, or supplies, who transmits any health information in electronic form in connection with a transaction for which standard requirements have been adopted. In the event that an individuals personal health information is disclosed for example to the insurer, family members, or family members; this may lead to stigma, discrimination, and also embarrassment. Web2 Pros and Cons of Managed Care in America Introduction I. Therefore during this era of socialized medicine; the providers should ensure that they put in place measures that would guarantee the privacy, security, rights, and confidentiality of the patients. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. People take this matter As your adolescents doctor and as the parent (or guardian), we have two roles here. Variations in practice may be warranted when, in the reasonable judgment of the treating clinician, such course of action is indicated by the condition of the patient, limitations of available resources, or advances in knowledge or technology. Annals of internal medicine, 158(8), 620-627. Confidentiality extends beyond reproductive health for minors. It is unclear how this issue affects confidentiality, and, many states have been hesitant to extend such a duty to health professionals. Confidentiality, Privacy, and Unreliable Technology Keeping your personal information private is a major concern in psychotherapy, but online treatment adds a layer Pros: Salaries might be lower than in other practice settings, but there are often added benefits, including more time off and better retirement options. It is not intended to substitute for the independent professional judgment of the treating clinician. A., & Arora, V. M. (2013). Although this can be viewed as a good thing because patients do have the right to see their own health data, it also opens doors for security concerns. During this era of increased socialized medicine, it has come with its pros and cons on the confidentiality, rights, safety, and the security of patients. Again, it is a matter of weighing the pros and cons between keeping and breaching confidentiality. J Adolesc Health 2016;58:13440. In other words, socialized medicine is one of the many forms of social insurance. So there are a couple of questions that are up for debate. This information is designed as an educational resource to aid clinicians in providing obstetric and gynecologic care, and use of this information is voluntary. Knowing what confidentiality laws in your area cover can help you make informed decisions about how your information is shared. Top of Page Can be especially important for children. What you tell your doctor, lawyer, or psychologist is supposedly protected information that cannot be shared with others, no matter how intimate, gory, or revealing it may be. Any updates to this document can be found on acog.org or by calling the ACOG Resource Center. The most obvious benefit of utilizing AI technology is its ability to improve patient experiences. Legal protections for confidentiality are the result of our societys interest in privacy, but they can still be outweighed in cases where other society values (such as public health and safety) outweigh them. The privacy rule, which is based on requirements contained in HIPAA, provides protection against parents or guardians access to protected health information for the following circumstances: adolescents aged 18 years and older; emancipated minors; minors who can legally consent to services or receive services without parental or guardian consent or notification according to state or other applicable law; or when a parent or guardian assents to an agreement of confidentiality between the minor adolescent and health care provider. One of the biggest problems in confidentiality protections is the lack of clarity about when patient confidentiality can be breached. ACOG Committee Opinion No. However, there are some circumstances when it is necessary for the obstetriciangynecologist to share private information with a parent or guardian or others. Limiting parental or guardian access to information about certain personal issues such as sexuality, substance abuse, and mental health concerns allows adolescent patients to be more comfortable talking with their health care providers about these issues. A wide assortment of hardware and software. In as much as it is the right of the patient to keep his or her health information private, it is prudential for the person to consider that this would interfere with his or her health (Ventola, 2014). Obstetriciangynecologists are encouraged to ensure conversation time alone with adolescents to clarify the adolescents privileges regarding the release of information and to obtain appropriate and preferred contact method. These unique issues include: The diversity of stakeholders. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol 2017;30:17683. Although laws vary by state, all minors have a right to some confidential health care. The overall goal of big data in healthcare is to use predictive analysis to find and address medical issues before they turn into larger problems. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists reviews its publications regularly; however, its publications may not reflect the most recent evidence. Variations in practice may be warranted when, in the reasonable judgment of the treating clinician, such course of action is indicated by the condition of the patient, limitations of available resources, or advances in knowledge or technology. Obstetriciangynecologists and other health care providers and institutions that establish an EHR system should consider systems with adolescent-specific modules that can be customized to accommodate the confidentiality needs related to minor adolescents and comply with the requirements of state and federal laws 16. WebCharge capture refers to tracking each charge to a patient for medical services given. During this era of socialized medicine, there are both pros and cons of confidentiality, rights, safety, and the security of the patients. When going for the socialized medicine, an individual is required to give his or her personal health records. WebWhich type of survey should I use? For that matter, it is important to note that by ensuring privacy, this will promote more effective communication between the service provider and the patient. By reading this page you agree to ACOG's Terms and Conditions. This document has been updated to include information on patient portals, guidance on the release of medical records, examples of ways to safeguard adolescent patients' confidentiality, and talking points to use with parents and guardians. Neither of these survey types is best for every use case your organization has its own specific needs.For analysis of, say, a rapid one-off poll to help you identify and improve an aspect of a product or service, an anonymous survey is sometimes all you need.. How do we weigh the pros and cons of sharing personal health information with others in the medical community and with the government? Only a few states have comprehensive confidentiality laws, and many states control disclosure of health information through a combination of statutes addressing everything from particular disease information to autopsy records. Obstetriciangynecologists and other health care providers should be active in educating their staff and patients regarding the confidentiality of services. Teens also have a right to confidential mental health and substance abuse treatment. Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 is a law enacted by US congress in July 30, 2002. consultation with a healthcare professional. Confidential care for adolescents is important because it encourages access to care and increases discussions about sensitive topics and behaviors that may substantially affect their health and well-being 4. HMOs often only cover The statutes and case law governing exceptions can be separated into a number of different areas, including public health, public safety, protection of vulnerable persons, and research. Literature discussing confidentiality and AIDS patients supports the notion that health care professionals (including counselors) have a duty to warn and protect at-risk third parties. J Adolesc Health 2016;58:3747. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that a chaperone be in the room during the physical examination, as well as during diagnostic studies such as transvaginal ultrasonography 11. In some research protocols, identifiers remain so that data can still be traced to particular individuals. WebSafeguarding data confidentiality is not always easy as technological advances also provide means of easily accessing information from remote locations and making it Lehrer JA, Pantell R, Tebb K, Shafer MA. The bill consists of 11 sections and was created as a reaction to high numbers of fraud and business misbehavior in major US corporations. WebWhat is more, it suggests that breaches of confidentiality should be restricted to the circumstances under which there is sufficient evidence that the clients or other persons safety is in danger or the health, safety or welfare of children or vulnerable adults is There is little to no control over income distribution. Disclosing genetic information is another issue in public health. Most EHRs have the capability for patients to view any combination of appointments, medication lists, allergies, most recent vital signs, laboratory values, health care provider notes, and communication between patient and health care provider. A variety of organizational structures. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists encourages obstetriciangynecologists and other health care providers to ensure that their existing EHR systems protect the confidentiality of minor patients, including any OpenNotes features. All ACOG committee members and authors have submitted a conflict of interest disclosure statement related to this published product. Use of chaperones during the physical examination of the pediatric patient. Obstetriciangynecologists should make clear to the patient what limitations, if any, exist in the EHR system. There is little to no control over income distribution. It is important not only for health professionals to be aware of the many considerations of confidentiality laws, but it is also important for the individual. Optimally, obstetriciangynecologists should ensure that medical record information, including EHR information, for care provided under minor consent or mature minor provisions is considered confidential and should not be disclosed to parents or guardians without adolescent consent. Because It Works, Nature Documentaries Could Help Save the Planet, Use of this site is your Agreement to the Terms. While gaining the adolescents trust, we still encourage them to discuss issues with their parents or guardians. Adolescents should be made aware of specific instances when private information may be disclosed, such as suicidal or homicidal ideation or acts, life-threatening drug misuse, and an eating disorder causing bodily harm 1. Because research allows better treatments to be developed and in this way serves the general public, it seems reasonable that disclosure should be permissible under certain circumstances, provided that individuals have the option of remaining anonymous. A number of states have adopted this principle, and some have extended it to all physicians or mental health professionals. Many institutions struggle to meet the current standard for providing access to and maintaining the confidentiality of sensitive portions of the medical record as required by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services 4. Security measures and enhanced EHR standards should be adopted at the systems level to prevent breaches of patient confidentiality. Available at: Promoting healthy relationships in adolescents. While ACOG makes every effort to present accurate and reliable information, this publication is provided as is without any warranty of accuracy, reliability, or otherwise, either express or implied. WebInformed consent in medical ethics is commonly viewed as the key to respecting patient autonomy. Providing alone time, apart from a parent or guardian, for discussion between the adolescent patient and health care provider is an important aspect of the health care visit 5. The parent or guardian and patient should be aware that these discussions are considered private, not secret, and obstetriciangynecologists may disclose private information when concerned for the immediate danger of patients to themselves or others, or both, and when reporting is required by public health laws 6. (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Additionally, they should be informed of any restrictions to the confidential nature of the relationship. It has increased paper work for health care professionals (Livestrong, 2015). With respect to children under 18, however, these protections are generally thought to be appropriate, particularly in cases when a physician may suspect a child's injury he or she has been called upon to treat may be the result of child abuse. At the initial visit, the obstetriciangynecologist should discuss the following issues with the parent or guardian and the patient: 1) the meaning and importance of confidentiality; 2) the scope of confidentiality protection; and 3) the limitations of confidentiality 1. Wearable Technology: Disadvantages of Medical Technology in Healthcare: 1. The ACOG policies can be found on acog.org. Review individual cases and provide proxy access for parents of adolescent patients with disabilities when appropriate. In fact, quite a lot of personal information is not protected at all. My patient was a petite woman in her mid-forties with long dark hair. It builds trust: Experimenting with a range of behavior is common among adolescents and young adults. Beyond the HIPAA privacy rule: enhancing privacy, improving health through research. WebPeople may get a higher feeling of security. Obstetriciangynecologists should work with their health care organizations to be able to provide confidential billing. Pediatrics 2017;140:e20172858. J Adolesc Health 2012;51:40914. The Pros of Using AI. Klein, C. A. Therefore, a doctor is not under any obligation to reveal threats of minor harm, threats that the doctor does not believe are serious, or general threats where there is no identifiable individual at risk. In these cases, obstetriciangynecologists and other health care providers should be cognizant of alternative ways to share information with the adolescent if coercion to access the adolescents login information is suspected. ACOG does not guarantee, warrant, or endorse the products or services of any firm, organization, or person. High quality handovers are essential for safe healthcare and are used in many clinical situations. Potential for disclosure of laboratory results, prescriptions, and diagnoses may occur with itemized explanation of benefits statements. The bottom line is that not all information, even medical information, is automatically granted legal protection from disclosure: only information that is particularly sensitive is protected (and even sensitive information may be disclosed under certain circumstances). What is Confidentiality and When is It Not Protected? Implementation toolkit. Miscommunication during handovers can lead to unnecessary There are times when a parental or guardian proxy to the adolescents patient portal may be appropriate, such as when an adolescent lacks the capacity for decision making, including those adolescents with severe intellectual or development disabilities. Universal health care may encourage entrepreneurship. Universal healthcare can increase overall life expectancy. The second issue, which stems from the first, is under what circumstances confidentiality should be broken. Knowing what confidentiality laws in your area cover can help you make informed decisions about how your information is shared. Cons: Physicians have less autonomy and less continuity with patients. WebPros And Cons Of Sarbanes-Oxley Act Of 2002. Providers should be aware that parents or guardians may coerce their adolescent into sharing portal login information in order to obtain access to the adolescents medical record. New York, NY: Guttmacher Institute; 2019. Additionally, it is costly for vendors to develop and maintain the levels of mandated confidentiality because the laws regarding confidentiality vary by state 4. AI can be used for diagnostics, helping Cons: Physicians have less autonomy and less continuity with patients. 803. An overview of consent to reproductive health services by young people. Shared decision making between patient, parent or guardian, and health care provider, when possible, is the goal in order to optimize the adolescents medical care 13. There should be private conversation time between the health care provider and adolescent patient. Meaningful use of a confidential adolescent patient portal. Almost all states have child abuse reporting statutes. 796. Pharmacy and Therapeutics, 39(7), 491. All of the different ways of conceptualizing confidentiality include exceptions, allowing disclosure under certain circumstances or to particular agencies. Measures to ensure protection will vary based on the EHR system capabilities and institution-specific policies. Because online therapy involves communication via computers or mobile devices, it has security issues Electronic Health Records of Patients in Hospitals: 2. These registries are usually kept confidential, and in many cases the information is kept separately from any individually identifying information. It is not intended to substitute for the independent professional judgment of the treating clinician. Emancipation: A legal procedure whereby minors become legally responsible for themselves, and their parents or guardians are no longer responsible (financially or otherwise). The United States continues to move toward a nationwide health information network that will allow health care providers to obtain quick access to patient medical information through EHRs. Breaching an individuals confidentiality and privacy do not only affect an individuals dignity, and might as well cause harm (Gostin, Levit & Nass, 2009). Pros of the Confidentiality, Safety, Rights, and the Security of Patients in an Era of Increased Socialized Medicine WebData access limitations. Ethical theories provide many different ways to view confidentiality laws. Ford C, English A, Sigman G. Confidential health care for adolescents: position paper for the Society for Adolescent Medicine. The capacity of an adolescent to consent for health care as a mature minor is influenced by the minors developmental maturity, previous experience with illness, the gravity of the current illness, and the risks of proposed therapy. Available at: https://www.guttmacher.org/state-policy/explore/overview-minors-consent-law.

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pros and cons of confidentiality in healthcare