Medical secrecy is a fundamental element of the relationship between patient and doctor. It is not only a matter of ethics, but also of the trust that patients place in their health care providers. In the traditional communication model, the protection of medical secrecy mainly consisted of closing the office door and keeping medical records in a safe place. However, in the age of digitalization and globalization of healthcare, when information is exchanged via the Internet, emails, mobile applications and telemedicine platforms, ensuring medical confidentiality becomes more complicated and requires modern solutions.

In the article, you will learn about the challenges of digital communication in the context of medical confidentiality, and what solutions can help keep medical data safe.

Digital communication and its impact on medical confidentiality

Data storage and transmission‍

Patient data is most often stored in the cloud, which allows it to be easily accessed and shared with various health care professionals. Despite the convenience of storing data in the cloud, it also increases the risk of unauthorized access. Medical data is one of the most sought after targets for hackers due to its value and sensitivity.⁵

‍The choice of communication platforms‍

Doctors use popular communication apps, such as WhatsApp, to contact patients.⁶ Although they are convenient, they do not meet the legal requirements and security standards necessary to protect medical information. This means having to use platforms built for healthcare that comply with data protection regulations such as GDPR and offer a high level of security.

Data Access Management‍

Access to patient data should be strictly controlled. In a digital environment where multiple people, including doctors, nurses and administrative staff, can have access to the same data, it is essential to establish clear rules and procedures for who, when and for what purpose can access patient information. This approach minimizes the risk of accidental or intentional violation of medical secrecy.

Safety in telemedicine.

The popularity of telemedicine has increased significantly, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. When consulting online, there is a risk of eavesdropping or interception of a conversation. Physicians must use secure connections and certified platforms to protect medical confidentiality.

What to look for when choosing remote contact tools to take care of medical confidentiality?

Data encryption

Encryption is an essential technology to protect medical data from unauthorized access. With end-to-end encryption, data is encoded in such a way that only the sender and receiver can read it. Thanks to encryption, even if the data is intercepted, it will remain unreadable to unauthorized persons. Choosing tools that use encryption not only protects data, but also meets legal requirements for the protection of personal data, which is crucial for any medical facility.‍

Two-Factor Authorization (2FA)‍

Tools with 2FA significantly increase the security of access to medical data. Even if someone knows the password, the need to confirm your identity by an additional device (such as a mobile phone) makes it difficult for unauthorized people to access it.

education‍

A key element of patient data protection is knowledge of the issue from the perspective of doctors. Training on best practices in digital security and knowledge of procedures in the event of a security breach are essential.

Curiosities and examples

The birth of telemedicine‍

Telemedicine, which is one of the main channels of digital medical communication, has its roots in the 1960s, when NASA began to monitor the health of astronauts in space at a distance.

Cyber attacks on medical facilities‍

The growing number of cyber attacks on medical facilities shows how important it is to invest in the right security. According to a 2021 IBM report, the average cost of a data breach in the healthcare sector was $9.23 million, making it one of the most expensive sectors in terms of cybercrime.

Mobile applications in medicine‍

Research conducted by Accenture shows that 66% of patients are interested in using mobile apps to manage their health. This points to the growing role of mobile technologies in healthcare, but at the same time underlines the need for their adequate protection.

Medical mystery in the digital age faces new challenges that doctors have to face in their daily practice. The digital transformation of healthcare brings great benefits, such as faster access to medical information and improved communication with patients, but at the same time raises new risks for protecting patient data. Competent management of access to this data, the use of appropriate security tools and the regular training of medical personnel in cybersecurity play a key role here.

Physicians, as guardians of patients' health, are responsible for ensuring the security of the information they share in digital systems. In the face of rapid technological change, it is crucial that the innovations implemented go hand in hand with the traditional values of medical ethics, including respect for medical confidentiality. To achieve this, clinicians need to use tools that not only make everyday work easier, but also ensure data security while giving patients the confidence that their privacy is a priority.

1. Accenture. (2018), Patients Want a Heavy Dose of Digital Healthcare.
2. RODO. (2018), Rozporządzenie o Ochronie Danych Osobowych.
3. HealthITSecurity. (2017), The Impact of the WannaCry Cyber Attack on Healthcare.
4. World Health Organization. (2020), Telemedicine: Opportunities and Developments in Member States.
5. European Patients' Forum. (2020), Patients’ Data, Protection, and Cybersecurity: What You Need to Know.
6. Raport Pacjent w telefonie, marzec 2024.