Technology in Healthcare: Ethical Concerns
The integration of technology in healthcare, particularly in ambulatory care and home health settings, has been helpful in enhancing patient care. However, this advancement also brings with it a range of ethical concerns that should be considered. This paper discusses those concerns and what they mean for the integration of technology in healthcare.
Privacy and Confidentiality
One of the biggest ethical concerns regarding technology integration in healthcare centers on the issue of patient privacy and confidentiality. As electronic health records (EHRs) become more prevalent in healthcare corridors, the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches has also climbed. According Kruse et al. (2017), there is enough concern regarding the security of electronic health records, warranting more attention to preventing privacy violations. This risk is also heightened in home health settings where security measures may not be as robust as in traditional healthcare facilities.
Informed Consent
The use of technology in healthcare often requires patients to share more information than they would in a traditional setting. As Nittas et al. (2019) discuss, informed consent becomes a complex issue in digital health, because patients might not fully understand what they are consenting to, especially in terms of data usage and sharing. They can all of sudden feel like they are being taken advantage of, not realizing they have already given permission for all their personal health information to be shared by all staff. It can lead to concerns over HIPAA violations and to feelings of dissatisfaction with respect to the kind of care provided.
Access to healthcare technology is not uniform across different socioeconomic groups. Poorer communities often lack the same access that wealthier communities have. As Veinot et al. (2018) point out, there is a risk of exacerbating health disparities due to unequal access to health and by extension healthcare technologies. This is particularly relevant in home health settings, where patients might not have the necessary technology or...
…The risk of misinterpretation of health data is significant and can lead to
anxiety or incorrect self-diagnosis and
treatment (Topol, 2019). Plus, the sheer volume of health information available online can be so excessive that patients can become irritated by it all. Without proper guidance, patients may even fall prey to misinformation. Thus, even as it is assumed that technology enhances patient
autonomy, its advent also means that a greater emphasis on
patient education and support so that patients can effectively use and understand the health information at their disposal needs to be given them.
Conclusion
In conclusion, technology undoubtedly brings many benefits to healthcare, as has been seen in expanding ambulatory care and home health services. But one must also address these ethical concerns. There should be data security measures that give clear and comprehensive informed consent processes; there should be the means for addressing the digital divide, and maintaining the human element in care; and there should be protections for data accuracy, and supporting patient autonomy. All of these are essential steps in…
