Question

The government now requires physicians to store patient information in databases that are accessible in multiple locations by multiple people if they want to qualify for certain reimbursements. The rationale is that this will enable healthcare providers the ability to better serve their patients, as all will have access to the patients’ medical history. Many patients worry about compromised privacy and security, especially since these databases are accessible via the Internet. Should patients be allowed to opt out of these data collection systems or should it remain a government mandate? Provide justification for your answer.

Answer 1

Answer)
As per the government requirement, it is now required for the physicians to store the patient information in databases as mentioned above. Using this approach on the health-care provider side, it will enable to better serve their patients and will access the patient's medical history. Also, patients worry about the privacy and security of their data as these databases are accessible via the Internet.
HIPAA security law is used to protect the patient's data. HIPAA Security Rule is used to protect the health information which is shared by the patients in a centralized database and shared between the healthcare providers for better service and ease of operation to the patients.
But even then, the primary control of the data should reside with the owner who is the patient in this case. Thus patients should be allowed to opt out of these data collection systems, and it should not be mandatory but once shared the data should be secured with mandatory measures.