202164 Security, Privacy and Confidentiality of Patient Health Information: Overcoming Challenges for EHR and PHR Adoption Among Vulnerable Populations

Monday, November 9, 2009: 11:30 AM

Brenda A. Leath, MHSA, PMP , Westat, Rockville, MD
Supporters of national Health IT and health disparities reduction efforts propose that the adoption of EHRs and PHRs offer potential for improving the management and flow of patient health information among providers and consumers. Further, that EHRs and PHRs have capacity for tracking patient information that could lead to reductions in medical errors and duplication of services. They also view EHRs and PHRs as mechanisms that can help facilitate provider and consumer decision-making that can lead to quality improvements and consumer empowerment in managing their own care. Despite these potential benefits, consumer concerns about security, privacy and confidentiality may impede broad-based adoption and use of EHRs and PHRs unless effective solutions are enforced. This panel session highlights critical issues for consideration as part of the adoption process as well as current work underway to promote use of EHRs and PHRs among vulnerable population groups.

Learning Objectives:
1)Describe unique and shared perspectives about privacy, security and confidentiality concerns among minority populations, people with disabilities, and persons with mental disorders. 2)Discuss factors that influence consumer views on EHR and PHR security, privacy and confidentiality. 3)Discuss efforts to advance consumer protection efforts by such entities as the American Health Information Community (AHIC), the emerging National Health Information Network (NHIN), the National Health IT Collaborative for the Underserved (NHIT), and the Kay Center for E-Health Research.

Keywords: Health Information Systems, Health Disparities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: A career history spanning more than 25 years including work relating to vulnerable populations and health IT-related topics, such as the following examples: National Health IT (NHIT) Collaborative for the Underserved as a Member of the Policy Workgroup American Health Information Community (AHIC) Consumer Empowerment Workgroup as a Member of the Subcommittee on Disabilities The American Public Health Association’s (APHA) Health Informatics Information Technology (HIIT) Special Primary Interest Group (SPIG) as: ►Chair of the Community Outreach Committee, ►Charter Member of the HIIT Advisory Board, and ►Councilor and HIIT Representative of the APHA Governing Council. Office of the US Surgeon General and Office on Disability’s joint implementation plan initiative in Support of the Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Improve the Health and Wellness of People with Disabilities as: ►Chair of Strategic Plan Workgroup 3 in support of the Call To Action Goal 3: Persons With Disabilities Can Promote Their Own Good Health By Developing And Maintaining Healthy Lifestyles Office on Disability and the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports joint program, I Can Do It, You Can Do It Program, as Chair of the Implementation Subcommittee Appointee to the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities (PCPID) (formerly known as the President’s Committee for Mental Retardation) as ►Member of the PCPID ►Chair of the Subcommittee on Family Services and Supports ►Chair, Health Workgroup Office of Minority Health as a Member of the Healthy People 2010 Black American Workgroup National Consortium for African American Children (NCAAC), Inc. as President and Chief Executive Officer National Commission to Prevent Infant Mortality (established by Congress) as Associate Director for Special Population Initiatives, Director of the National Consortium for African American Children initiative, and Director of State Consortia Development of the National Health/Education Consortium
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Consumer and Provider Views: EHR and PHR on Security, Privacy and Confidentiality
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