But these unregulated, seemingly benign forms of communication are often the places where security and confidentiality are most apt to be compromised, health-care CIOs say. When you talk about e-mail security, encryption is the least part of it. Currently, all Kaiser Permanente patients can refill prescriptions and schedule nonurgent appointments online, with online access to medical records. Those kinds of conveniences meet the needs of evermore savvy health-care consumers, says Peter Waegemann, executive director of the Medical Records Institute. Privacy and security issues are still being hashed out, he concedes, but the future of electronic medical records is secure.
People are conscious that their health is their main asset, and they want control over that asset.
Tracy Mayor is a freelance writer specializing in business and technology.