New England Journal of Medicine, 361(21), e46. WebConfidentiality covers all medical records (including x-rays, lab-reports, etc. Most EHRs have the capability for patients to view any combination of appointments, medication lists, allergies, most recent vital signs, laboratory values, health care provider notes, and communication between patient and health care provider. Pediatrics 2012;130:98790. As your adolescents doctor and as the parent (or guardian), we have two roles here. Please try reloading page. Advantages and Disadvantages of Medical Technology in Healthcare Telehealth refers to providing healthcare services outside the bounds of a If a patient declines a chaperone, it should be explained that the chaperone is an integral part of the clinical team whose role includes assisting with the examination and protecting the patient and the physician. Confidentiality in adolescent health care. There is little to no control over income distribution. Did you know that according to the Social Security Administration, 1 in 4 of todays 20-year-old Americans will become disabled before age 67?1 HealthMarkets can help you find a health plan should a serious condition leave you unable to work. One of the biggest problems in confidentiality protections is the lack of clarity about when patient confidentiality can be breached. Patient Access to Health Records The pros and cons of TriTerm Medical insurance Since its much easier and faster to access patient details and history through an electronic health record, its also much easier to immediately place imaging and laboratory work orders. (Eds.). Potential for disclosure of laboratory results, prescriptions, and diagnoses may occur with itemized explanation of benefits statements. All rights reserved. Similar issues apply to postmortem disclosure. Similar caution should be assumed when releasing information to other health care providers. The staff is always available to discuss health problems or answer questions. If notes automatically submit to EHRs, issues regarding sexuality, gender identity, substance use, mental health, and STIs may be included. Additionally, it is costly for vendors to develop and maintain the levels of mandated confidentiality because the laws regarding confidentiality vary by state 4. *For more information, see Guttmacher Institute. WebConfidentiality. Pros & Cons Of Universal Healthcare ACOG Committee Opinion No. WebThe Pros And Cons Of Confidentiality Soapstone Formal Analysis. It is unclear how this issue affects confidentiality, and, many states have been hesitant to extend such a duty to health professionals. Alderman EM. This initiative has been shown to potentially increase patient activation and engagement, as well as patient satisfaction, trust, and safety, and to improve the patientphysician relationship 20 21. One of the biggest problems in confidentiality protections is the lack of clarity about when patient confidentiality can be breached. Obstetriciangynecologists should emphasize to the parent or guardian that confidentiality is important to foster a safe and trusting environment for adolescents to discuss their concerns and health care. Standards for health information technology to ensure adolescent privacy. There if an individuals privacy is not protected or guaranteed, people find it hard to give complete and candid information about their health even to their own personal physicians leave alone to the insurer. The Pros and Cons of the Confidentiality of Patients in an Era of Recommendations for electronic health record use for delivery of adolescent health care. Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine, American Academy of Pediatrics. Gostin, L. O., Levit, L. A., & Nass, S. J. 2023 My Superior Paper. Require a parent or guardian code word to access an adolescents patient portal. Lack of confidentiality affects healthcare staff too The Pros of Using AI. While gaining the adolescents trust, we still encourage them to discuss issues with their parents or guardians. A 2016 study demonstrated that, when given the opportunity, adolescents use of EHRs afforded enhanced medical care and, although they accessed the portal less for laboratory results, appointments, or prescriptions, adolescents did engage in frequent confidential communications with their health care providers through patient portals 4. Pros and Cons Ethical Dilemmas: Breaking Confidentiality As part of comprehensive health care, it is our practice to ask parents to wait outside for part of the interview and to encourage the adolescents to discuss their own interests and concerns. According Chernichovsky (2009), the term Socialize medicine is defined as a health system where by which the government owns and operates both the financing of healthcare and also its delivery. Potential for disclosure of laboratory results, prescriptions, and diagnoses may occur with itemized explanation of benefits statements. There should be private conversation time between the health care provider and adolescent patient. Safe handover | The BMJ Breaching an individuals confidentiality and privacy do not only affect an individuals dignity, and might as well cause harm (Gostin, Levit & Nass, 2009). One of the biggest problems in confidentiality protections is the lack of clarity about when patient confidentiality can be breached. Variations in practice may be warranted when, in the reasonable judgment of the treating clinician, such course of action is indicated by the condition of the patient, limitations of available resources, or advances in knowledge or technology. J Adolesc Health 2019;64:3118. WebSafeguarding data confidentiality is not always easy as technological advances also provide means of easily accessing information from remote locations and making it In practice, the major issue that faces health care providers and patients is the health care providers ability to provide confidential care using EHRs, such as when parents or guardians have the ability to access some of their adolescents health information when comprehensive health services are provided and billing systems generate statements that detail confidential services (eg, problem lists, laboratory tests, or prescriptions). However, there are some circumstances when it is necessary for the obstetriciangynecologist to share private information with a parent or guardian or others. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. These registries are usually kept confidential, and in many cases the information is kept separately from any individually identifying information. Bell SK, Mejilla R, Anselmo M, Darer JD, Elmore JG, Leveille S, et al. 803. It is helpful to conduct staff sensitivity training on the following topics: Comfort with issues regarding adolescent sexuality, Knowledge about confidentiality issues, including state and local laws, How to provide relevant information to parents or guardians and patients about private conversation time with the adolescent patient and obstetriciangynecologist, How to identify appropriate contact information for the adolescent patient (eg, personal cell phone) and parents or guardians for future follow-up, How to set up a code word to ensure the identity and security of the adolescent patient, Comfort with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning (LGBTQ) issues and pronoun (she, he, they) usage. Committee on Adolescence, Council on Clinical and Information Technology. Some states have statutes that require reporting of abuse of hospital patients or long-term care patients, elder abuse, spousal abuse, and domestic abuse. There should be private conversation time between the health care provider and adolescent patient. Should a doctor disclose to a patients family members the fact that the patient carries a gene for cancer or Alzheimers disease? We want to work with you to help your adolescent make the best choices for a healthy future. ACOG does not guarantee, warrant, or endorse the products or services of any firm, organization, or person. Many Definitions of Patient Confidentiality, When You Cannot Expect Medical Information to Remain Confidential. Pros and Cons Review individual cases and provide proxy access for parents of adolescent patients with disabilities when appropriate. Use of chaperones during the physical examination of the pediatric patient. Pros and Cons Marcell AV, Burstein GR. Obstet Gynecol 2020;135:e1717. Copyright 2020 by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. The capacity of an adolescent to consent for health care as a mature minor is influenced by the minors developmental maturity, previous experience with illness, the gravity of the current illness, and the risks of proposed therapy. Sharing medical information for research purposes is more controversial. Obstetriciangynecologists are encouraged to know their individual systems and institutional policies regarding confidentiality, EHRs, patient portals, and the open access for visit notes. Only a few states have comprehensive confidentiality laws, and many states control disclosure of health information through a combination of statutes addressing everything from particular disease information to autopsy records. Mature minor: An adolescent younger than the age of majority who, even if living at home as a dependent, demonstrates the cognitive maturity to give informed consent. ABSTRACT: Confidential care for adolescents is important because it encourages access to care and increases discussions about sensitive topics and behaviors that may substantially affect their health and well-being. Adolescents also have rights to receive health care independently under legal principles such as mature minor and emancipated minor Box 2. What is managed Care One form of medical coverage is the managed-care plan. Although there are multiple benefits of EHRs, these benefits may conflict with the protection of confidentiality. (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. This article explores the use of telehealth and the ability to provide health care to patients through interactive technology and telecommunication tools. Identify and protect against reasonably anticipated threats to the security or integrity of the information. A., & Arora, V. M. (2013). The Pros and Cons of Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) By Editorial Team. Many people are familiar with the idea of confidentiality as an integral part of the professional code of ethics in the legal, medical, and mental health fields. Because online therapy involves communication via computers or mobile devices, it has security issues Effective patientphysician communication. This information should not be considered as inclusive of all proper treatments or methods of care or as a statement of the standard of care. Adolescents face considerable potential harms to their health from mental health disorders, interpersonal violence, substance use, and unprotected sexual activity. Obstetriciangynecologists and other health care providers should be active in educating their staff and patients regarding the confidentiality of services. Universal healthcare can increase overall life expectancy. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol 2017;30:17683. Gray SH, Pasternak RH, Gooding HC, Woodward K, Hawkins K, Sawyer S, et al. 758, Promoting Healthy Relationships in Adolescents, for potential talking points when discussing confidentiality with parents, guardians, and patients 10. What is Universal Health Care The most obvious benefit of utilizing AI technology is its ability to improve patient experiences. How do we weigh the pros and cons of sharing personal health information with others in the medical community and with the government? Ensure compliance by their workforce. | Terms and Conditions of Use. Medicare is often a target when politicians seek a quick way to cut costs. Identify the patients preferred route of contact. The obvious solution is to go to court, but this means making public the information they did not want anyone to know in the first place! The bill consists of 11 sections and was Limiting parental or guardian access to information about certain personal issues such as sexuality, substance abuse, and mental health concerns allows adolescent patients to be more comfortable talking with their health care providers about these issues. Parent or guardian access to the patients visit notes through the electronic patient portal poses the potential that confidential and sensitive information may be accessed, resulting in a breach of confidentiality and potentially adverse outcomes for the adolescent patient. A survey of a large hospital corporation in London found that No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, posted on the internet, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission from the publisher.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 409 12th Street SW, Washington, DC 20024-2188Confidentiality in adolescent health care. Therefore during this era of socialized medicine; the providers should ensure that they put in place measures that would guarantee the privacy, security, rights, and confidentiality of the patients. Social Media Use Common Expectations for Nurses Unlike electronic medical records stored on cloud servers, paper medical records need physical space for storage purposes. The maintenance of patient confidentiality may be affected by the widespread adoption and integration of electronic health records (EHRs) in clinical care, which may necessitate a closer evaluation of the unique challenge this presents for providers of adolescent health care. Advantages & Disadvantages of an EHR Ensuring the confidentiality and security of patients data is primordial to the Pros and Cons 796. Web2 Pros and Cons of Managed Care in America Introduction I. Blythe MJ, Del Beccaro MA. J Adolesc Health 2012;51:40914. WebPros And Cons Of Sarbanes-Oxley Act Of 2002. Once confidentiality is breeched, it is difficult to regain trust; so, obstetriciangynecologists should make efforts to avoid the violation of the trust between the health care provider and patient. The most obvious examples of public health concerns outweighing individual rights to confidentiality are from contagious disease cases. WebPeople may get a higher feeling of security. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Its just a matter of figuring out under what circumstances disclosures should occur. The use of telehealth continues to grow, reaching multiple medical specialties and providing care to a greater population of patients. Any concern for a HIPAA violation should be addressed by individual health care systems. Employed physician in academic institution. This may mitigate the intimidation some patients may experience from parents or guardians. We may have to disclose private information to protect a patients safety. Recent years have muddied our understanding of medical confidentiality. The rapid development of technology geared toward healthcare services has led to the creation of the term telehealth, which essentially means virtual care. Jessica Wilen Berg is Professor of Law and Bioethics, Case Western Reserve University's School of Law and at the Department of Bioethics, Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH. ), as well as communications between patient and doctor, and generally includes communications between the patient and other professional staff working with the doctor. social media in contemporary nursing: risks and benefits Whether or not to disclose personal medical information is often said to be a balancing act between the benefits of keeping confidentiality and the benefits of waiving it. Report confidentiality breaches to collaborative relationship to better protect the public health, safety and welfare. The U.S. Supreme Court has stated that "disclosures of private medical information to doctors, to hospital personnel, to insurance companies, and to public health agencies are often an essential part of modern medical practice." These are the kinds of questions that are important to consider, and difficult to answer using legal theories of confidentiality. There are many distinct conceptions of individual autonomy in circulation, and even more views of the value and importance of these various conceptions. There are some problems with paper medical records. Statutes and regulations regarding medical record information should be updated to ensure this standard is achieved. Another problem, however, Confidentiality in Adolescent Health Care | ACOG At the initial visit, the obstetriciangynecologist should discuss the following issues with the parent or guardian and the patient: 1) the meaning and importance of confidentiality; 2) the scope of confidentiality protection; and 3) the limitations of confidentiality 1. Miscommunication during handovers can lead to unnecessary Private information, especially if identifiable, should only be disclosed to the third party with the consent of the patient. This is because; if an There is little to no control over income distribution. Healthcare Pros and Cons Although most Quality healthcare services: The US has modern medical equipment and ensures citizens are able to get quality medical care. They are of the argument that privacy is in itself objectively valuable, as an important component of human well-being. Obstetriciangynecologists and other health care providers should be active in educating their staff and patients regarding the confidentiality of services.