Personal privacy in the age of electronic records: What to know before you head to the doctor

(ARA) - In the age of information technology both blessings and curses are associated with easily accessible and continually shared information.

In the case of social media Web sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Google Buzz, people choose which information they reveal to a large public audience. However, when you take a trip to your family doctor or the local hospital, you may not realize just how public the information you provide can become.

Most medical facilities have adopted a system of electronic records, because:

* It's much more efficient for storing and organizing large amounts of information.

* Doctors and their medical assistants can quickly and easily access patient information.

* Patient information is not limited to one facility, so there is greater opportunity to receive care.

Electronic records have greatly increased the fluidity of the medical profession, and they have improved efficiency in notable ways. Unfortunately, with the advent of widely available electronic records comes the possibility for breaches of patient confidentiality. When patients share information with their doctors they are doing so in confidence, knowing that their privacy will be protected and their personal information won't be unnecessarily disclosed to others. However, once that information is entered into a large database, it becomes vulnerable to threats from:

* Hackers

* Computer viruses

* Technical malfunctions

* Identity theft

So, how worried should you be about the personal information you share with your health care professionals? Unless you're a celebrity, chances are no one is going to try to sell your health care records to the tabloids; however, you still have a right to be concerned with who can access the information you share with your doctor.

Thankfully, strict rules and regulations are in place to help assuage any fears the average American might have concerning personal health care privacy. Health care professionals of all kinds - from those pursuing a health information technician degree to neurosurgeons who have been practicing for 25 years - have to abide by the rules established by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The American Medical Association (AMA) strictly enforces these rules and insists that all medical professionals dedicate themselves to protecting patient confidentiality at all times.

Whether you are a patient, a student in health care school, or a seasoned physician, it is incredibly important to understand the rules and regulations HIPAA has established for patient confidentiality. The rise of electronic records and the growth of information technology as a whole have opened doors and increased accessibility in the health care field and beyond.

However, it is important that these advances don't get out of hand. Personal privacy needs to remain a priority, and thanks to HIPAA and the AMA, that's exactly what should happen.

Information in this article was provided by Brown College. Contact Brown today if you're interested in developing marketable knowledge and career-relevant skills with an industry-current degree program. (Brown College does not guarantee employment or salary.)

Courtesy of ARAcontent