The use of telehealth continues to expand, long after Covid-19 restrictions drove many health services online. As this technology keeps evolving, it is crucial for providers and vendors to ensure the privacy of any client data they collect, store, use, or share.
Telehealth Providers Must Secure Client Data
Because telehealth is still a relatively new approach to healthcare, many clients and providers do not fully understand how it affects private health data. Clients may not realize that they still own their health information and can control how it is used and disclosed.
Behavioral health providers can help telehealth clients protect their private health information in many ways. The first, of course, is to follow telehealth best practices. This includes adhering to the HIPAA privacy rule and other federal and state requirements.
Other ways that behavioral health providers support client privacy include practicing informed consent, securing professional electronic devices, and educating clients on how to protect their own health data.
Client Education Can Encourage Health Data Security
Behavioral health providers have legal and professional obligations to protect clients’ private health information. However, providers can help clients take responsibility for their own information, as well. This starts by helping to educate clients on health data security.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services now offers resources to help explain privacy and security risks of telehealth services. This may be a good starting point for behavioral health providers looking to help clients understand their health information security rights.
One resource advises providers on how to educate patients about telehealth security risks. This includes making sure that clients fully understand what telehealth is, what risks there are in using it, and how to use remote communication tools appropriately. Providers should inform clients that they can file privacy complaints if they believe their rights have been violated.
Another document offers tips for patients on reducing risks to private health information. This includes holding their telehealth sessions in a private location, on a private device, and deleting health information from their devices when they no longer need it.
Other government agencies and organizations offer a variety of resources to help patients take extra steps to secure their personal health data. For example, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency offers four tips for staying “cyber safe.” Stamford Health offers similar advice for protecting health information, such as installing security updates on personal electronic devices and using two-step authentication.
Behavioral health providers can use resources like these to help inform their telehealth clients about potential privacy risks. This helps clients take ownership of their private health information and strengthens the health partnership between provider and client.
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