As technology continues to revolutionize the healthcare industry, concerns about patient privacy become exceptionally more critical. The healthcare industry has a lot of confidential information such as medical test results, diagnosis, and other details that only the concerned patient and their healthcare provider should access. As a result, privacy laws in the healthcare industry must remain strict and updated to protect patient rights.
Leading health experts worldwide have been advocating for strengthening health care privacy laws to ensure the privacy of patient’s health information remains uncompromised. The following are some perspectives from leading health experts on why strengthening health care privacy laws is crucial.
Personal Health Information Is Sensitive.
According to healthcare experts, personal health information is extremely sensitive and should only be accessed by trained professionals to ensure the patient’s privacy. Breaches in data privacy can lead to identity theft, medical identity theft, and other forms of privacy invasion that can compromise the patient’s health, finances, and overall well-being.
Dr. Deborah Peel, Founder, and President of the Patient Privacy Rights Foundation stated, “Personal health data is the most valuable and private information we have, it should not be a commodity, and most certainly should not be used without patient consent.”
Emerging Technologies Pose a Threat to Patient Privacy.
As technology continues to advance, an increasing number of personalized health gadgets and software are being developed that enables patients to monitor their health status remotely. Even though these technologies have become vital in managing various health conditions, experts contend that they pose a considerable threat to patient privacy.
These technologies collect additional data that is often not subject to privacy laws, thereby leaving patient information exposed to cybercriminals. Moreover, the firms that develop these technologies do not have a legal obligation to adhere to the same regulations as healthcare service providers do.
Dr. David Charles, notes that “The introduction of wearable technology into healthcare presents a huge opportunity for both doctors and patients. Still, the data collected by these devices must be subject to the same laws and protections.”
There Are Significant Economic Implications.
Healthcare data breaches can substantially impact the affected patients and healthcare providers. Notably, most data breaches contribute to significant financial implications for the healthcare providers affected. For example, a study by the American Medical Association showed that the average cost of a data breach for a healthcare provider was upwards of $3.86 million.
The study also found that such data breaches significantly impacted a business’s reputation, leading to a loss of customers and suppliers, which can contribute to further financial implications. Therefore, there is a significant economic implication for healthcare providers affected by such data breaches, highlighting the need for stronger healthcare privacy laws.
Final Thoughts
Patient privacy is a fundamental right that healthcare experts worldwide see as a priority, and efforts must be made to improve patient privacy protection. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of personal health information, and we must ensure that healthcare privacy laws are strengthened and enforced to protect patients’ sensitive data from breaches. In conclusion, healthcare providers, policymakers, and patients all have a role to play in promoting the implementation of privacy laws in the healthcare industry. Together, we can ensure that personal health data remains confidential and secure.