ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on how providers can responsibly share information digitally with patients using technology while maintaining compliance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Patients are not obligated to comply with HIPAA or other health privacy laws; however, the sensitivity of health information does not disappear when the information is collected and shared by patients. Privacy and security are a shared responsibility, and patients should be aware of the potential risks of sharing their health information in certain contexts. HIPAA should not stop healthcare providers from effectively communicating with their patients. When implementing appropriate safeguards, providers should also be cognizant of patient preferences. Sometimes key moments of electronic patient engagement do not happen with the clinician sitting behind a desktop, but rather occur through that clinician’s use of mobile devices. Social media is a form of communication that is becoming increasingly popular.
