Telehealth and telemedicine have transformed healthcare, opening the door to innovative medical services, from simple consultations to more specialized care.
Specifically, the Health Resources and Services Administration defines telehealth as "involving electronic and telecommunications technologies to support and promote long-distance clinical health care, patient and professional health-related education, and public health and administration."
Although it expands access to medical care, particularly in underserved areas, it also introduces new challenges in maintaining privacy and confidentiality. These issues become even more serious if a healthcare professional neglects to implement secure communication.
Since telehealth and telemedicine depend on technology, whether through video consultations, email exchanges, or m-health applications, sensitive patient information is regularly crossing digital networks.
According to a scientific article on ethical practice in telehealth and telemedicine, "electronic health and medicine encounters involve a wider range of third parties than traditional health care encounters."
For example, telecommunications service providers, website hosts, and their commercial partners have potential contact with protected health information (PHI), risking patient privacy if not properly managed. These risks also apply to mobile health applications and home monitoring devices, most of which are not regulated under current privacy laws.
So, who is responsible for maintaining patient privacy and security?
Healthcare providers must act in the patient's best interests whether offering care in person or via telemedicine. As the article points out, physician responsibility can vary depending on the telehealth interaction.
At one extreme are websites where patients seek general health information. In such cases, the physician who provides information owes no duty of care to individuals for how they interpret or act on what they read, no more than does an author who writes an article about a particular topic in health.
On the other end, during a virtual consultation, the physician is held to the same degree of accountability as an in-person visit, including safeguarding PHI.
The article cites, "physicians who provide clinical services via telemedicine must follow appropriate privacy practices themselves and must assure themselves that health care professionals at remote websites with whom they collaborate do the same."
Moreover, failure to meet these ethical and legal obligations can harm patient trust and radically destroy healthcare organizations.
However, instead of looking at telemedicine as a disrupting force, it should be viewed as a technological advancement that enhances access and quality of care. The full potential of telemedicine will only be realized when healthcare providers are committed to patient privacy protection from every touch point.
The way forward
Email continues to rank among one of the most popular modes of communication within telehealth and telemedicine, particularly for less urgent care or follow-up communications. At the same time, standard email platforms are at risk of privacy breaches when sharing confidential information- unless the proper security measures are applied.
In this respect, healthcare professionals must use a HIPAA compliant email solution, like Paubox, to minimize privacy and security risks. These solutions use advanced encryption to secure patients’ PHI during transit and at rest. So, healthcare professionals can provide patient-centered care while safeguarding PHI.
Furthermore, HIPAA compliant email supports the provider’s ethical responsibility, preserving the "covenant of trust," that underlies a successful patient-provider relationship.
Learn more: HIPAA Compliant Email: The Definitive Guide
FAQs
Is email a secure way to communicate in healthcare?
Yes, HIPAA compliant email platforms, like Paubox, allow providers to send encrypted emails which safeguard the security and privacy of protected health information (PHI).
Who needs to comply with HIPAA?
HIPAA compliance is required for covered entities, such as healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses, as well as their business associates who handle protected health information (PHI).
What are the legal risks of not being HIPAA compliant?
Legal risks include potential lawsuits from affected individuals and the associated costs of settlements, legal fees, and damage to reputation.
