Preparing patients to protect their health data privacy
It is important to listen to patients about their privacy concerns and provide educational materials on how to use telehealth in a safe and secure way.
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Patient telehealth privacy and security communications
Your patients may have diverse backgrounds and environments. These patient differences may impact how they prefer to access telehealth and perceive privacy and security risks to their health information. Your communications should be tailored to your patients.
Ask about your patients’ comfort level to share sensitive health information using telehealth. Explain to patients the importance of confidentiality in provider-patient relationships and periodically check-in on their privacy preferences. Share privacy tips with your patients to help them connect securely online and protect their privacy during and after a telehealth appointment.
As part of your telehealth privacy and security strategy, prepare resources and tutorials to help patients safely use the telehealth platform. Inform your patients of these resources and the steps taken to ensure data security and to minimize exposure and privacy breaches. Share stories or testimonials from patients who have had positive experiences using the secure telehealth features to protect their privacy and communicate these efforts to other patients.
Communication about privacy protections can increase patient trust in telehealth and help reassure them that their health data is secure.
Equity considerations for underserved patient populations
Equity considerations within a patient population, such as an individual’s living conditions and social connections, could impact telehealth privacy and security.
Underserved populations, such as the homeless, older adults, adolescents, and those who struggle with mental health, may be more likely to have concerns about the lack of private space and accessibility for telehealth visits.
In addition to using the required privacy and security safeguards, such as using telehealth platforms in compliance with the HIPAA Rules, you will need to consider how to provide qualified interpreters or multilingual support. Established protocols can ensure you protect patient identity and confidentiality when working with an authorized third-party.
Tailor information on data privacy and security protections in a culturally sensitive and linguistically appropriate way. Training and educational materials can help patients feel more comfortable using secure communication channels, like a patient portal.
More information
Protecting patients' telehealth privacy — Health Resources and Services Administration
Telehealth privacy and security tips for patients — Office for Civil Rights
Resource for health care providers on educating patients about privacy and security risks to protected health information when using remote communication technologies for telehealth — Office for Civil Rights
Frequently asked questions for patient virtual care security (PDF) — California Telehealth Resource Center