Is doctor-patient confidentiality dying a slow death?

Background: To evaluate a smartphone application for clinical photography that prioritizes and facilitates patient security. Methods: Ethics was obtained to trial the application Sharesmart. Calgary plastic surgeons/residents used the application for clinical photography and communication. Surveys gauging the application usability, incorporated consent process, and photograph storage/sharing were then sent to surgeons and patients. Results: Over a 1-year trial period, 16 Calgary plastic surgeons and 24 residents used the application to photograph 84 patients. Half (56%) of the patients completed the survey. The majority of patients found the applications consent process acceptable (89%) and felt their photograph was secure (89%). Half (51%) of the surgeons/residents completed the survey and would use the application as is (67%) or with modifications (33%). The consent process was felt to be superior (73%) or equivalent (23%) to participant’s prior methods and was felt to resolve issues present with current photography practices of secure transmission and storage of photographs by 100% and 95% of respondents, respectively. Perceived limitations of the application included difficulties in use with poor cellphone service or Internet, decreased speed compared to current practices, the lack of a desktop platform, video capability, and ability to transmit the photograph directly to the patient’s medical record. Conclusions: A smartphone clinical photography application addresses the risks of patient confidentiality breach present with current photography methods; broad implementation should be considered.

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WhatsApp Tele-Medicine – usage patterns and physicians views on the platform

Israel Journal of Health Policy Research ◽

10.1186/s13584-021-00468-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Edward Barayev ◽

Omri Shental ◽

Dotan Yaari ◽

Elchanan Zloczower ◽

Itai Shemesh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Instant Messaging ◽

Care Delivery ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Smartphone Application ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Healthcare Organizations ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Patient Confidentiality ◽

Medical Specialists ◽

Usage Patterns

Abstract Background Telemedicine has become an integral part of health care delivery in recent years. One of the leading applications for this use is WhatsApp — a free smartphone application that allows instant messaging with pictures and videos. This study analyzed the emerging role of WhatsApp on reducing the need for referrals to medical specialists and to compare the views of physicians regarding WhatsApp consultations. Methods A cross-sectional study based on an anonymous web-survey was conducted among PCPs and medical specialists working in the Israel Defense Forces Medical-Corps during September and October, 2019. Results Of 201 participants, 153 were PCPs and 48 were medical specialists. 86.9 % of PCPs and 86.5 % of specialists used WhatsApp every day in professional settings. Added workload, potential breaching of patient confidentiality and lack of full documentation of consultations were the main concerns among physicians using the application. 60.7 % of PCPs and 95.7 % of specialists stated that these consultations have reduced the need for in-person appointments at least once a week. Conclusions In times of COVID-19 that require social distancing, WhatsApp provides a simple, readily available platform for consultations between healthcare providers, even to the extent of rendering some in-person appointments unnecessary. Healthcare organizations should address the matters troubling healthcare providers, mainly patient confidentiality and lack of documentation in patients’ medical records, while providing adequate compensation for those providing the service during and after work hours.

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TWITTER AND PATIENT CONFIDENTIALITY – A DELICATE BALANCE

Journal of the American College of Cardiology ◽

10.1016/s0735-1097(21)04694-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 77 (18) ◽

pp. 3340

Author(s):

Raymond Y. Yeow ◽

Brahmajee Nallamothu ◽

Sarah Gualano

Keyword(s):

Patient Confidentiality ◽

Delicate Balance

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Medico-legal dilemma: Patient confidentiality

Practice Management ◽

10.12968/prma.2021.31.1.8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 31 (1) ◽

pp. 8-8

Keyword(s):

Patient Confidentiality ◽

Medical Defence

Practice managers regularly ask the Medical Defence Union's team of experts for advice on medico-legal dilemmas. This fictitious example is based on calls from our members

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