Skip to content
  • About
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Book
  • Careers
  • Podcast
  • Recommended
  • Speaking
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
    • All
    • Physician
    • Practice
    • Policy
    • Finance
    • Conditions
    • .edu
    • Patient
    • Meds
    • Tech
    • Social
    • Video
    • About
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Book
    • Careers
    • Podcast
    • Recommended
    • Speaking

Sharing your personal health data? Don’t be scared!

Joseph Kvedar, MD
Tech
November 17, 2016
44 Shares
Share
Tweet
Share

I recently had the opportunity to join Boston news media veteran, Dan Rea, on his AM radio program, Nightside with Dan Rea. It was a one-hour call-in program and an eye-opening experience for me. Dan and I chatted about connected health and how it can truly disrupt care delivery and put the individual at the center of their own health. Then Dan opened the lines to the fine citizens of New England for questions, and the phones started ringing off the hook.

The overwhelming concern — actual fear — among callers was maintaining their privacy in an increasingly connected world, especially their personal health data. I was so struck by the extent of concern, I thought I’d present a few theories I’ve been contemplating on the subject.

When it comes to privacy issues, the cyber world is typically characterized as a sinister place, where consumers are duped and exploited, their data leaked or stolen. What we, unfortunately, don’t talk about is what consumers have to gain by sharing their data. For instance, the same information that can be used to create highly personalized programs to help people stay healthier and happier, can also be a key factor in improving efficiencies and reducing health care costs. Further, it’s been shown that sharing data with providers, friends or social media groups can actually help people stay on track with their health and wellness goals.


Yes, there is always some risk sharing personal data — whether online banking or communicating with your health care provider. But there are also rewards. In my view, it’s a trade-off, and one that I personally am willing to make with my own health data.

As I see it, there are two main problems when it comes to privacy. First, many companies have not been forthright regarding their privacy policies, leaving consumers unaware of when and how their data is being used, sometimes in ways they may not approve of. Second, we are all too aware of some alarming data breaches that make consumers wary of posting or sharing their personal data.

We can combat much of consumers’ fear by making privacy policies transparent, putting a halt to spying on people without their consent and creating systems to keep data confidential. Bottom line, the rights of individuals must be protected, and organizations — health care providers included — need to do a better job explaining privacy issues and safeguards.

As my friend and colleague Rob Havasy pointed out to me, HIPAA doesn’t directly apply to most connected health interventions, certainly not to those things that don’t directly connect to a hospital. Therefore, the consumer’s protections are covered by the privacy policy of the company that provides the equipment or service.

In my mind, privacy is not a complicated issue. In fact, it’s pretty straightforward.

So how do we increase consumers’ comfort levels and create more transparency around the red-hot issue of privacy?

Here are two simple ideas:

For anyone who is in the health care space, whether you’re a payer, provider, business or entrepreneur developing connected health devices or programs for consumers, you should be very forthcoming about your data collection and privacy policies. And, by all means, provide this information in simple, easy to understand language and skip the legal jargon.

And consumers need to understand that there’s no such thing as a free app. If it’s a free service, more than likely the business model will sell advertising – or data – including subscriber lists, to marketers. In most cases, without this revenue stream, there would be a fee attached to the service. This is a concept most consumers will understand.

Some will opt for the free service with the understanding that they give up some privacy. Others will want a fee-based service that will preserve their privacy. Either way, it should be the consumer’s choice.

Is the privacy fear such a turn-off that consumers will never agree to share their health data? Or can we help individuals understand the trade-off?

Joseph Kvedar is director, Center for Connected Health, Partners HealthCare. He blogs at the cHealth Blog and is the author of the Internet of Healthy Things.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com 

Prev

It’s time to update the physical exam

November 16, 2016 Kevin 12
…
Next

There’s something missing in the doctors vs. AI debate

November 17, 2016 Kevin 0
…

Tagged as: Mobile health

Post navigation

< Previous Post
It’s time to update the physical exam
Next Post >
There’s something missing in the doctors vs. AI debate

More by Joseph Kvedar, MD

  • Digital tools should not adversely affect the doctor-patient relationship

    Joseph Kvedar, MD
  • 5 obstacles to texting patients

    Joseph Kvedar, MD
  • Here are the limitations of virtual doctor visits

    Joseph Kvedar, MD

Related Posts

  • Sharing mental health issues on social media

    Tarena Lofton
  • Are negative news cycles and social media injurious to our health?

    Rabia Jalal, MD
  • How social media can help or hurt your health care career

    Health eCareers
  • The mental health benefits of sharing stories

    Vibhu Krishna
  • Our laws don’t do enough to protect our health data

    Sharona Hoffman, JD
  • 3 ways to advance the credibility of online health information

    Robert Pearl, MD

More in Tech

  • Is AI the solution for the shortage of nephrologists? ChatGPT weighs in.

    Amol Shrikhande, MD
  • How AI is enhancing patient care and improving radiologists’ lives

    Brett Mollard, MD
  • ChatGPT masters USMLE: a real win for AI, but a long way from the art of medicine

    Harvey Castro, MD, MBA
  • The game-changing impact of AI regulation: Unlocking the potential in health care and society

    Harvey Castro, MD, MBA
  • Surviving TMI and AI: the importance of self-initiated self-learning for future physicians

    Deepak Gupta, MD and Sarwan Kumar, MD
  • Navigating the ethics of AI in surgery: Balancing bias and accountability for safer procedures

    Jag Singh, MD
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • Is chaos in health care leading us towards socialized medicine? How physician burnout is a catalyst.

      Howard Smith, MD | Physician
    • Boxing legends Tyson and Foreman: powerful lessons for a resilient and evolving health care future

      Harvey Castro, MD, MBA | Physician
    • A physician’s typical day, as envisioned by a non-clinician health care MBA: a satire

      Jennifer Lycette, MD | Physician
    • The rising threat of lung cancer in Asian American female nonsmokers

      Alice S. Y. Lee, MD | Conditions
    • Decoding name displays in health care: Privacy, identification, and compliance unveiled

      Deepak Gupta, MD | Physician
    • From Moscow Mule to the opioid crisis: Unveiling the tragic legacy and urgent solutions

      Osmund Agbo, MD | Meds
  • Past 6 Months

    • “Is your surgeon really skilled? The hidden threat to public safety in medicine.

      Gene Uzawa Dorio, MD | Physician
    • Revolutionize your practice: the value-based care model that reduces physician burnout

      Chandravadan Patel, MD | Physician
    • Breaking the cycle of racism in health care: a call for anti-racist action

      Tomi Mitchell, MD | Policy
    • Unveiling the hidden damage: the secretive world of medical boards

      Alan Lindemann, MD | Physician
    • An inspiring tribute to an exceptional radiologist who made a lasting impact

      Kim Downey, PT | Conditions
    • Proactive risk management: a game-changer in preventing physician burnout

      Howard Smith, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • A revolution in patient empowerment: Working together to save our medical system [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Revealing America’s expansion: the dark truth of Native American suffering and unjustified abuses

      Anonymous | Physician
    • Unlock financial freedom: The physician’s guide to lucrative multifamily syndications and wealth accumulation

      Pranay Parikh, MD | Finance
    • From Moscow Mule to the opioid crisis: Unveiling the tragic legacy and urgent solutions

      Osmund Agbo, MD | Meds
    • From journalism to medicine: Unveiling the untold stories of patients’ medical conditions

      Veronica Bonales, MD | Physician
    • Unlocking resilience: a powerful journey from trauma to transformation [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast

Subscribe to KevinMD and never miss a story!

Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.


Find jobs at
Careers by KevinMD.com

Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now.

Learn more

View 8 Comments >

Founded in 2004 by Kevin Pho, MD, KevinMD.com is the web’s leading platform where physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, medical students, and patients share their insight and tell their stories.

Social

  • Like on Facebook
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Connect on Linkedin
  • Subscribe on Youtube
  • Instagram

CME Spotlights

From MedPage Today

Latest News

  • New Antiviral Option for CMV Prophylaxis After Kidney Transplant
  • Infant RSV Vax Heads to FDA for Review
  • Is Getting Test Results Online Right Away a Good Idea? Yes, Patients Say
  • Residency Application System Cuts Section on Hobbies and Interests
  • Workplace Harassment, Cyber Incivility High for Minority Groups in Academic Medicine

Meeting Coverage

  • Phase II Study: Bispecific Oral Drug Tops Leading JAK Inhibitor for RA
  • Closing the Diversity Gaps in Urologic Oncology Leadership
  • Certain NSCLC Patients May Be Able to Stop Immunotherapy at 2 Years
  • No Survival Benefit With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Rechallenge in Metastatic RCC
  • Happy Sleep, Happy Couple?
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • Is chaos in health care leading us towards socialized medicine? How physician burnout is a catalyst.

      Howard Smith, MD | Physician
    • Boxing legends Tyson and Foreman: powerful lessons for a resilient and evolving health care future

      Harvey Castro, MD, MBA | Physician
    • A physician’s typical day, as envisioned by a non-clinician health care MBA: a satire

      Jennifer Lycette, MD | Physician
    • The rising threat of lung cancer in Asian American female nonsmokers

      Alice S. Y. Lee, MD | Conditions
    • Decoding name displays in health care: Privacy, identification, and compliance unveiled

      Deepak Gupta, MD | Physician
    • From Moscow Mule to the opioid crisis: Unveiling the tragic legacy and urgent solutions

      Osmund Agbo, MD | Meds
  • Past 6 Months

    • “Is your surgeon really skilled? The hidden threat to public safety in medicine.

      Gene Uzawa Dorio, MD | Physician
    • Revolutionize your practice: the value-based care model that reduces physician burnout

      Chandravadan Patel, MD | Physician
    • Breaking the cycle of racism in health care: a call for anti-racist action

      Tomi Mitchell, MD | Policy
    • Unveiling the hidden damage: the secretive world of medical boards

      Alan Lindemann, MD | Physician
    • An inspiring tribute to an exceptional radiologist who made a lasting impact

      Kim Downey, PT | Conditions
    • Proactive risk management: a game-changer in preventing physician burnout

      Howard Smith, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • A revolution in patient empowerment: Working together to save our medical system [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Revealing America’s expansion: the dark truth of Native American suffering and unjustified abuses

      Anonymous | Physician
    • Unlock financial freedom: The physician’s guide to lucrative multifamily syndications and wealth accumulation

      Pranay Parikh, MD | Finance
    • From Moscow Mule to the opioid crisis: Unveiling the tragic legacy and urgent solutions

      Osmund Agbo, MD | Meds
    • From journalism to medicine: Unveiling the untold stories of patients’ medical conditions

      Veronica Bonales, MD | Physician
    • Unlocking resilience: a powerful journey from trauma to transformation [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast

MedPage Today Professional

An Everyday Health Property Medpage Today
  • Terms of Use | Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
All Content © KevinMD, LLC
Site by Outthink Group

Sharing your personal health data? Don’t be scared!
8 comments

Comments are moderated before they are published. Please read the comment policy.

Loading Comments...