As much as we love our mobile phones and how things are much more accessible, they also raise some serious concerns — particularly about data collection, use, and storage, writes CHARLIE FLETCHER.
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In the healthcare industry specifically, medical professionals and patients use their mobile devices for reasons like conducting telehealth appointments and monitoring chronic conditions. This results in a lot of collected and shared data, often across various platforms.
However, we have to take into account the sensitive nature of the collected and shared information. Mobile security for healthcare data is a major concern.
Let’s explore ways in which the healthcare industry uses mobile phones and tips on securing private information to responsibly engage in healthcare-related activities on these devices.
How Mobile Phones Are Used in the Healthcare Industry
Mobile devices are used throughout the healthcare industry. The internet of things (IoT) streamlines healthcare by providing access to information across devices.
Nurses, doctors, surgeons, and other medical professionals use a network of mobile devices to collect, transfer, and store data on their patients.
Medical professionals also use mobile phones directly in patient care. For example, telehealth is becoming more popular.
Patients can have an appointment with their doctor on their smartphone. They just have to prepare for a telehealth visit by acquiring an internet connection, making healthcare more accessible and comfortable.
As helpful as mobile phones can be for eliminating silos in healthcare and making patient care more accessible, they also present significant challenges for healthcare endpoint management. For example, it can be difficult for information technology departments in medical facilities to manage every mobile phone and ensure they employ proper cybersecurity tools and practices.
Ethical concerns of healthcare data tracking
Further, there’s a constant spotlight on the ethics of data tracking in healthcare facilities. Collecting and storing patient data is vital for quality care. By doing so, medical professionals can better tailor a patient’s healthcare plan.
The big mistake, though, occurs when facilities and medical professionals don’t transparently communicate the data tracking process to their patients.
Patients should never find out their information is being tracked and used when an ad related to their condition suddenly pops up on their browser.
More concerning even, they may receive a call from a third party about information they only shared with their doctor. But unfortunately, this happens.
The good news is that the healthcare industry is making patient data security a priority. For example, there’s more transparency with patients about their rights regarding data privacy.
They’re offering guidance for patients who want to use mobile devices for their appointments. Healthcare facilities are also dedicating teams to protecting patients and their data.
Although the healthcare industry still has significant work to do in securing patient data and monitoring the use of mobile phones, it’s making progress.
Tips for Ensuring Privacy on Your Mobile Phone and Securing Your Healthcare Information
As critical a role as the healthcare industry plays in securing patient data, patients also shoulder some of the responsibility for keeping their mobile devices and personal information secure.
Here are three tips for securing private health information and responsibly engaging in healthcare-related activities on your mobile phone.
Understand the basics of protecting patient healthcare information
One of the first things you can do to ensure your patient data is secure is to understand the basics of protecting patient healthcare information. In other words, learn your rights as a patient regarding your data and the responsibility the healthcare industry has to protect it.
Start your research on the Health Insurance and Portability Accountability Act (HIPAA) website to learn your patient rights under HIPAA. Get a rundown of what the HIPAA rules cover.
Most saliently, HIPAA rules don’t apply to activities performed on your personal mobile phone. Any device outside the healthcare provider’s purview isn’t covered.
Even an app or accessory suggested by your doctor to accompany a regulated medical device likely isn’t covered. It has to comply with specific guidelines to be considered a “mobile medical app,” and only a tiny percentage of these apps and accessories fall into this category.
So, dig deep into HIPAA rules and regulations. Also, don’t be afraid to ask the medical professionals you’re working with about who has access to your personal information, how and when they have that access, and what they could potentially do with your data.
Always use a secure network
Whenever you use a mobile device for telehealth appointments, access your healthcare facility’s patient portal, or partake in another health-related activity, do it on a secure network.
We understand that many people don’t have access to a secure network and public Wi-Fi is sometimes the only option. However, accessing and transmitting your private patient information unencrypted or over insecure network connections opens you up to serious cybersecurity threats.
Do your best to always use a secure network, even if you have to do extra work to ensure your telehealth appointments or other interactions are scheduled around when you have access to one.
Limit the personal information you share and store on your mobile phone
Although you may have to share and store your patient information on your mobile phone at some point, it doesn’t have to stay there forever. And, you don’t have to share and store everything. Don’t keep any confidential healthcare information on your phone for longer than needed.
Adopt the attitude that your data will probably be transferred or communicated to someone else. This will help you think twice about sharing the information and determine if it’s absolutely necessary for your care.
It’s also a good idea to turn off your location services so that particular piece of sensitive information isn’t accidentally shared. Delete location and activity history from any apps your doctor recommends using to support your healthcare. And, ensure they have robust privacy policies before even downloading them.
Conclusion
As we become a more digitally-focused world, understand that this opens the door for more of our data to be tracked, collected, transferred, and stored.
The healthcare industry and we as individuals are responsible for ensuring patient data is secure, no matter the devices we use.
[Lead Image Source: Pixabay]
