| Definition | Refers to the right of individuals to control access to their personal health information, ensuring that it is not disclosed to unauthorized parties. | Refers to the obligation of healthcare providers and organizations to protect the privacy of patients by keeping their health information confidential. | Encompasses the measures and safeguards put in place to protect health information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. |
| Focus | Centers on the individual's right to keep their health information private and not accessible to others without their consent or knowledge. | Focuses on the professional and ethical duty of healthcare providers to keep patient information confidential, even from other healthcare staff, unless authorized. | Concentrates on implementing technical, administrative, and physical safeguards to prevent breaches and unauthorized access to health data. |
| Ownership | Belongs to the individual or patient, granting them control over who can access, share, or disclose their health information. | Healthcare providers and organizations are entrusted with the responsibility to maintain the confidentiality of patient health records and data. | Shared responsibility between healthcare providers, organizations, and information technology experts to ensure the secure storage and transmission of health information. |
| Legal Framework | Often protected by laws and regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States. | Legally mandated in many countries and regions to protect patient privacy, with penalties for breaches. | Governed by various data protection and privacy laws, as well as industry-specific regulations, depending on the jurisdiction. |
| Access Control | Involves granting or denying access to health information based on the individual's preferences, consent, or legal requirements. | Requires healthcare professionals to limit access to patient information to only those who need it for authorized purposes, typically through user authentication and role-based access control. | Encompasses technical controls, authentication mechanisms, encryption, and other safeguards to prevent unauthorized access, data breaches, and cyber threats. |
| Key Principles | Respects the autonomy and personal choices of individuals regarding their health information and promotes informed consent for data sharing. | Upholds the ethical principle of non-disclosure of patient information without consent and maintains trust between patients and healthcare providers. | Ensures the confidentiality and integrity of health data through measures like firewalls, data encryption, regular audits, and employee training. |
| Breach Consequences | May result in a violation of an individual's privacy rights, loss of trust, and legal consequences for the entity responsible for the breach. | Breaches can lead to legal actions, loss of professional credibility, and damage to the patient-provider relationship. | Can result in data breaches, unauthorized access, data loss, or cyberattacks, potentially causing financial losses, legal liabilities, and reputational damage. |
| Examples of Measures | Obtaining patient consent for sharing their health information, allowing patients to set privacy preferences, and educating individuals on their privacy rights. | Implementing strict policies and procedures for healthcare staff, using secure electronic health records (EHR) systems, and providing training on patient confidentiality. | Employing data encryption, access controls, intrusion detection systems, and regular security assessments to protect health information from cyber threats. |
| Ethical Considerations | Emphasizes individual autonomy and respect for personal choices regarding health information sharing. | Focuses on the duty of healthcare professionals to prioritize patient interests and maintain their trust through confidentiality. | Stresses the ethical responsibility of organizations to safeguard patient data and uphold the principles of integrity and trustworthiness |
