The main pillars of healthcare reform rely heavily on data, but the future of the industry is in danger if patients aren't confident their data remains private and secure, according to Harry Greenspun, MD, director of Deloitte Center for Health Solutions.
Dr. Greenspun wrote a column in the Wall Street Journal outlining the danger health IT transformation faces if the public does not trust the industry to protect its data.
"The future of healthcare depends on secure flow of information," Dr. Greenspun wrote. "Nearly every major delivery reform, from value-based care and population health to personalized medicine and use of real-world evidence, relies on data and the willingness of those who have it to share it."
What's more, health data privacy has even further reaching consequences than other types of data. Dr. Greenspun wrote that breaching financial information is arguably less detrimental because the fallout can be lessened and the consumer doesn't hold much liability. Health data, on the other hand, can't be mitigated by canceling a credit card, for example.
Additionally, Dr. Greenspun said individuals widely vary in their preferences pertaining to privacy. While some are open to sharing data for any number of reasons, others prefer not to. "As we strive to gather more data to advance healthcare, the tension between the need for individual privacy and knowledge for the greater good is only going to increase."
Finally, there is an imbalance in conversations discussing the benefits and risks of sharing data. Dr. Greenspun said that while many individuals can discuss at length the risks of electronically storing data, few can make an equal argument about the benefits of doing so. "While we have invested heavily in EHRs and health information exchange, we have done little to educate the public whose data may be at risk," Dr. Greenspun said.
Healthcare reform will be hard-pressed to move forward until the public is on board, he said.
"Change happens at the speed of trust," Dr. Greenspun wrote. "Progress will depend upon a public that is informed and confident that the industry will be a trustworthy data steward."
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