Mobile Devices and Personal Health Care Data

Apple's CEO Tim Cook cites users storing personal health information on their iPhones as one of the many reasons for not complying with the FBI's request to unlock iPhones in recent news. Regardless if you agree or disagree with Apple, it has caused many patients to question how secure is their health information stored on personal and mobile devices used by medical personnel.

Most hospitals are now using mobile devices such as iPads and tablets to collect data while conducting patient health assessments. Instead of lugging around cumbersome paper charts or laptops while making rounds, physicians are now using a variety of mobile devices to access a patient's latest lab work and test results. They can also quickly chart their assessment at bedside while it's fresh instead of waiting later in the day.  It's quick, easy and simple. But how secure is it? Here's some pointers to keep in mind when storing your health information.

1. If an app is to be used by average people (as opposed to medical personnel or staff), then it likely does not need to be HIPAA-compliant.  For example, if you download an app from iTunes to help you track your medication, this information is usually NOT secure. Never store your personal health information in an app unless it says it's HIPAA-compliant in the app's description. Many apps use third parties to store data and/or they sell information collected. So again, any app that you download for personal use in order to keep track of your private health information is usually NOT safe unless it specifically says it's HIPAA-compliant. 
2. Not all apps used by medical personnel need to be compliant. For example, applications that let doctors or other professionals look up disease information do not need to be HIPAA-compliant. However, if the app allows the doctor to record disease information about a specific patient, it must be compliant. Therefore, the iPads and tablets in hospitals are safe. 

If you feel your privacy has been breached either by an app or medical facility, click on the following link for additional information and to file a complaint. Health Information Privacy

The Influence of the Internet on Patients' Expectations

Patients are now able to access a huge amount of information about their health and health conditions via the internet. Advances in information technology have radically transformed both decision-making and treatment processes. The rise in popularity of the internet has, however, been accompanied by claims that it sometimes harms patients and the doctor–patient relationship. In particular, it has been criticized for turning patients away from conventional treatments, misleading patients as to the efficacy of alternative therapies, unnecessarily increasing consultation times, and creating conflict between the doctor and patient in medical consultations.


Medical specialists differ in their views of, and responses to, internet-informed patients. Some describe significant improvements in decision-making processes, increased patient autonomy, satisfaction with decision making, shared responsibility and increased concordance. Others, however, feel negative toward internet-informed patients and report conflict dynamics within medical consultations. Clearly there is something of a split between those specialists prepared to move toward a more open and consultative approach to decision-making processes and the doctor–patient relationship, and those who seek to preserve a more paternalistic dynamic within medical consultations. The latter approach merely alienates many patients and results in lower levels of satisfaction with care. This is unfortunate given that, when utilized effectively, the internet can provide a useful addition to existing patient information and support services.

Most patients desire (and will appreciate) guidance from their specialist regarding how best to use the internet, and will readily accept reasonable explanations as to the inappropriateness of information they have retrieved. It is important that doctors acknowledge the efforts of their patients and encourage their 'activeness' in treatment processes, as well as ensuring they are not misled as to the efficacy of treatments. Dismissing patients' online information retrieval, regardless of how inappropriate the material they bring along, will only service to alienate them and potentially result in them utilizing inappropriate information.