Returning again to the subject of privacy – this time in the case of healthcare.
Interesting paper produced in the US by the Patient Privacy Rights group – the case for informed consent
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Paper references interesting statistics about the number of patients now demanding privacy – in fact the number of patients avoiding early medical checkups/ treatment because of concerns re privacy/ confidentiality.
The paper pushes a very valid principle – that the medial data about the patient belongs to the patient and not the hospital or clinician. Therefore it is not sufficient to think about patient privacy being addressed by software vendors.
The paper outlines it as follows: It is a mistake to design health IT in a paternalistic manner — assuming a corporation, vendor, provider or government agency knows what is best for each individual patient. Instead, we should build ‘patient-centric’ health IT systems.
The challenges posed are potentially complex – but they need to be addressed. For operators they will require changes in processes and systems. But these changes will be required to meet legal requirements and in order to establish and maintain credibility with patients.
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Like many others I struggle to get out and take exercise on a regular basis. I have many false starts (or false dawns). May target to walk four times a week – or run twice a week; generally do well for a week or two, then let it slip (early morning meeting, bad weather, travelling for work, any excuse will do…).
Was thinking about some application which would (1) assist me in tracking my efforts and (2) put me in touch with similar ‘athletes’ or ‘would be athletes’.
And then, via a contact on facebook, I come across dailymile
Have to say – looks like a close fit to what I think I need. Some nice features including (1) setting out routes and measuring them and (2) summary analytics.
Will report back after a few weeks of use of the site – looking to use this social network (connected to facebook and twitter) to assist me in becoming more healthy.
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Interesting to read Paul Rellis (CEO Microsoft Ireland) pushing significant amounts of technology in Education and Health as ways to address much of the problems we have.
Would agree 100% with Paul Rellis’s ideas around uses of digital technology. However seems to me risk putting cart before the horse. First we need a clear vision of what we are looking to achieve, then commitment from those in Health & Education to achieve the vision, commitment from the investor (govt.) in terms of any required investment. The technology bit is not actually that hard – using Microsoft technology, other proprietary technology and open source technology – in any, to be agreed, configuration.
But first let’s set vision, get some commitment and manage the change.
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Great presentation illustrating the trends in healthcare spending in the US – up to 2007. Includes one slide comparing with a number of other countries – including UK.
Brought to my attention by @endamadden on twitter.
Do we have similar information available for Ireland?
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Interesting post on project healthdesign: The Doctor’s Role in a Health 2.0 World.
Describing the patient as the ceo for his own body ie he takes responsibility, while the doctro is described as the consultant – advising the patient, seems like a good model, which reinforces the idea that the patient needs to manage his own lifesytyle, etc.
The other interesting obeservation relates to the general ‘information overload’ being experienced by all of us in all walks of life. It is quite possible that a patient may know a great deal more about his specific condition than the doctor providing the advice. However the doctor hopefully brings a broader picture and understanding. Seems no reason why the patient and doctro should not collaborate in advaincing the situation. Of course this does tend to turn the more traditional doctor/ patient model on its head.
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In his post earlier this week Jim McGee gives an insight into the use of social media/ social networking by the Mayo Clinic in the US. Not surpisingly for a distinguished and go ahead operation they make widespread use of blogs, podcasting, twitter, facebook, etc. Would be interested to understand what plans the hospitals (state and private) have to use social media here. What is the attitude of hospital management/ admin, medics, other providers of services and patients? Without doubt the current and emerging technologies provide opportunities for hospitals and medics to interact in deeper and broader ways with their patients and potenial future patients.
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