Health Information Exchanges (HIEs) have the potential to transform health care by providing secure and efficient access to patient data. These data-sharing capabilities can result in better diagnosis, more effective treatment, and improved patient outcomes.
Yet, despite these clear benefits, widespread adoption of HIEs has been slow. One of the major barriers to this is a lack of patient trust in how their protected health information (PHI) is handled.
A research paper on building patient trust in health information exchange points out, "Exchange technologies such as HIE currently lack acceptance theories that consider not only cognitive beliefs that result in adoption behavior but also emotional factors that may influence adoption intention."
This insight shows that in cognitive trust, patients logically perceive an HIE as secure, efficient, and useful. On the other hand, emotional trust is the extent to which a patient feels safe and comfortable sharing their PHI.
Therefore, getting both kinds of trust is important in making patients interested in an HIE. The research confirms that patients who realize the advantages and privacy provided by the HIE also show more feelings of security.
"When patients know more about HIE benefits, HIE sharing procedures, and privacy guidelines, they feel more in control, more assured, and less at risk," the study states.
As such, health professionals and policymakers must note that we cannot expect inherent patient trust, but we must earn it through proactive communication and transparency.
The study adds, “Patient trust in HIE may take the forms of intentions to opt-in to HIE and patients’ willingness to disclose personal health information that providers exchange through the HIE.”
Healthcare providers explain how HIEs work, exactly how data will be shared, and what's being done to keep patient information safe. Patients should be informed that the health data is going to be put to good use and that personal information is well protected with strict guidelines, like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Additionally, organizations should integrate user-friendly consent processes so patients can easily understand and manage their data-sharing preferences. Overly complicated or confusing consent forms can undermine patient trust, while clear communication empowers patients to make informed decisions.
However, building trust in HIEs requires more than face-to-face conversations and education.
HIPAA compliant email solutions, like Paubox, are proven to build patient trust. These solutions use advanced security measures, like encryption, to safeguard PHI during transmission and storage. It also mitigates the risk of unauthorized access, allowing only intended recipients to access confidential patient information.
When patients know that their healthcare providers use secure communication methods, they’re more likely to trust the healthcare system. It simply shows that the providers take privacy and security seriously.
Furthermore, this extra layer of protection supports cognitive trust, which includes belief in the provider's capability to secure the data, and emotional trust, related to feeling safe and valued.
The more confident patients are that every step is being taken to protect their data, the more likely they will opt into HIE participation and share important health information.
HIPAA compliant emails allow providers to listen to patients’ rational and emotional concerns about safety and control, so they can engage more patients in HIEs.
As a result, patients will be more engaged, reaching out to providers with questions regarding their care or other pertinent issues.
Ultimately, using these solutions improves communication strategies and facilitates coordinated care for positive health outcomes. When providers adopt these strategies, they improve efficiency, coordination, and a truly patient-centered healthcare system for the benefit of all patients and providers.
Go deeper: How patient-centered communication improves patient outcomes
HIPAA compliant emailing platforms, like Paubox, use encryption and other security measures to safeguard patients’ protected health information (PHI) from data breaches.
Encryption converts the content of the email into a form that is only accessible to the authorized recipient and not any other person or system. It prevents unauthorized access, upholding HIPAA regulations.
Yes, HIPAA compliant emails improve the accuracy, security, and reliability of patient communication, helping providers deliver better and safer patient care.