Question

Based on a smoking cessation program that utilizes a mobile application that allows healthcare providers and members (patients) to communicate, share health information, and express their own experiences during the program:

1) What are the regulatory and technical risks of using a mobile application?

2) Identify specific strategies as to how you would modify your program or implement technologies that would reduce or eliminate these risks.

Answer 1

1. The main regulatory and technical risks of using a mobile application in healthcare system are :

- many of the mobile applications do not fit under HIPAA and HITECH and thus have regulatory issues.

- use of mobile and technical application can lead to leaking of patient medical and personal information. This leads violation of patients privacy.

- mobile networks may be targeted by hackers

- some mobile applications can send the data and information stored on mobile devices directly to the third party.

2. Strategies to minimize above risks :

- training and seminars on proper use of mobile applications

- use of encrypted data traffic on mobile phones

- disabling third party applications

- using only verified and licensed applications on mobile phone for data entry and transfer

- using mobile applications accredated by HIPAA and HITECH