New inclusion in our dr's privacy policy

very interestiong observation

I haven't gotten a mailing on HHS on this, so I don't know what prompted the change..

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by: DemFromCT @ Wed Nov 14, 2007 at 19:59:36 PM UTC

Privacy

Last week, there was much discussion at the HHS ASPR session on Situational Awareness regarding doctors via computer reporting patient information to CDC - so that CDC could have an almost real time system for tracing/observing outbreaks of illness (patterns, etc.).  Protection of patient privacy was a major part of the discussion - this may be part of the issue and discussion.

I have no idea about the military though I wonder if that could be related to those who serve/d in the military (vets, national guard, etc.) This could be particularly true with national guard returning home.

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by: spartan @ Wed Nov 14, 2007 at 20:56:45 PM UTC

the military

does a lot of disease surveillance.  like this one http://www.geis.fhp....

Notice it isn't just service members, but also their families.



All 'safety concerns' are hypothetical.  If not, they'd be called side effects...

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by: SusanC @ Thu Nov 15, 2007 at 00:10:09 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

privacy or the lack thereof

I am not surprised.  I assume these days that anything at all that I tell my doctor, or my health insurance company, I am telling the government.  I am, therefore, extremely careful about what I tell my doctor.  It is bitterly ironic that I have more medical privacy in other countries than I do here.

That's not the way it's supposed to work.

One of my former physicians actually had questions about whether I owned certain kinds of sporting equipment.  Another had questions about personal activities.  When I challenged them about these and other intrusive questions, I pointed out that this information had the potential for misuse by the authorities and asked them what guarantees they could offer for my privacy.  To their credit, both physicians said "not much!"  I said, "Well, I guess you have to deal with your conscience on that.  *I* would not be comfortable with violating the Hypocratic Oath in such a manner, becoming a spy for the government!"  Both of them blushed.  Neither of them offered to amend their policy.

Faced with the reality that they have made liars out of most intelligent patients, I expect that TPTB will soon make lying to your Doctor a criminal act, just like lying to an undercover Fed is now.  After all, there won't be much difference, now will there?

KEEP THE GRID UP!
Prudent People Prepare Properly

"better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it!"

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by: LMWatBullRun @ Wed Nov 14, 2007 at 23:02:45 PM UTC

My husband is a private practice GP

and he could guarantee your privacy unless it is a public health matter. HIs charts are kept in his office and no outside person has access to them.Perhaps it is different if the doc works for an HMO. I don't know.

Life is not so short but that there is always time enough for courtesy. Ralph Waldo Emerson

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by: mojo @ Thu Nov 15, 2007 at 00:48:05 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

I think they are just

tightening up the regulations.  What I hear is there is a lot of review of legislation going on, at state as well as federal levels. 

It doesn't mean that they changed the law, although they may (and I'm not talking specifically about this issue) but it does mean often times applying and using certain statutes that were on the books but not used before, and trying to set up standard policies that can apply to public health emergency situations.

Being able to have everything as aligned as possible for GO! if and when a public health emergency like a pandemic happens, is good preparedness, IMHO.



All 'safety concerns' are hypothetical.  If not, they'd be called side effects...

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by: SusanC @ Thu Nov 15, 2007 at 00:06:41 AM UTC