Question

Patient privacy is an important part of the healthcare system today. Why do you think that is important? What could be the advantages and disadvantages of using technology to save and share patient information? What problems could arise if a patient's private records are shared inappropriately? Do you think individual healthcare professionals should have consequences for sharing patient information inappropriately? If so, what should be the consequences?

Answer 1

Ethical health research and privacy protections both provide valuable benefits to society. Health research is vital to improving human health and health care. Protecting patients involved in research from harm and preserving their rights is essential to ethical research. The primary justification for protecting personal privacy is to protect the interests of individuals. In contrast, the primary justification for collecting personally identifiable health information for health research is to benefit society. But it is important to stress that privacy also has value at the societal level, because it permits complex activities, including research and public health activities to be carried out in ways that protect individuals’ dignity. At the same time, health research can benefit individuals, for example, when it facilitates access to new therapies, improved diagnostics, and more effective ways to prevent illness and deliver care.