Medical confidentiality is a fundamental element of the patient-doctor relationship. It is not only a matter of ethics, but also a matter of trust that patients place in their health care providers. In the traditional model of communication, the protection of medical confidentiality mainly consisted of locking the office door and keeping medical records in a safe place. However, in the era of digitization and globalization of healthcare, when information is exchanged via the Internet, emails, mobile apps and telemedicine platforms, ensuring medical confidentiality becomes more complicated and requires modern solutions. 

In the article, you will learn about the challenges of digital communication in the context of medical confidentiality, and what solutions can help keep medical data secure.

Digital communication and its impact on medical confidentiality

Data storage and transmission‍.

Patient data is most often stored in the cloud, allowing it to be easily accessed and shared between different health system employees. Despite the convenience, storing data in the cloud also increases the risk of unauthorized access. Medical data is one of the most sought-after targets for hackers because of its value and vulnerability^.5

‍Communication platform selection‍.

Doctors use popular messaging apps, such as WhatsApp, to contact patients^.6 While convenient, they do not meet the legal requirements and security standards needed to protect medical information. This means using platforms designed for healthcare that comply with data protection regulations, such as RODO, and offer a high level of security.

Data access management‍.

Access to patient data should be strictly controlled. In a digital environment in which many people, including doctors, nurses/residents and administrative staff, may have access to the same data, it is important to establish clear policies and procedures on who can access patient information, when and for what purpose. This approach minimizes the risk of accidental or intentional violations of medical confidentiality.

Safety in telemedicine.

The popularity of telemedicine has grown significantly, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. During an online consultation, there is a risk of eavesdropping or interception of the conversation. Doctors must use secure connections and certified platforms to protect medical confidentiality.

What to look for when choosing remote contact tools to ensure medical confidentiality?

Data encryption

Encryption is the primary technology that protects medical data from unauthorized access. With end-to-end encryption, data is encrypted so that only the sender and receiver can read it. With encryption, even if the data is intercepted, it will remain unreadable to unauthorized parties. Choosing tools that use encryption not only protects the data, but also meets legal requirements for data protection, which is crucial for any medical facility.‍

Two-factor authentication (2FA)‍

Tools from 2FA significantly increase the security of access to medical data. Even if someone learns the password, the need to confirm identity through an additional device (such as a cell phone) makes it more difficult for unauthorized access. 

Education‍

A key component of protecting patient data is knowing the issue from the perspective of physicians. Training on digital security best practices and knowledge of procedures in the event of a security breach are essential.

Interesting facts and examples

The birth of telemedicine‍.

Telemedicine, which is one of the main channels of digital medical communication, has its roots in the 1960s, when NASA began monitoring the health of astronauts in space remotely. 

Cyber attacks on medical facilities‍.

The growing number of cyber attacks on medical facilities shows the importance of investing in adequate security. According to a 2021 IBM report, the average cost of a data breach in the healthcare sector was $9.23 million, making it one of the most expensive sectors in terms of cybercrime. 

Mobile applications in medicine‍.

Research conducted by Accenture shows that as many as 66% of patients are interested in using mobile apps to manage their health. This indicates the growing role of mobile technology in healthcare, but also underscores the need to secure it properly.

Medical confidentiality in the digital age is facing new challenges that doctors have to deal with in their daily practice. The digital transformation of healthcare brings great benefits, such as faster access to medical information and improved communication with patients, but at the same time raises new risks regarding the protection of patient data. Skilful management of access to this data, the use of appropriate security tools, as well as regular training of medical personnel in cyber security, are key.

As guardians of patients' health, physicians are responsible for ensuring the security of the information they share in digital systems. In the face of rapid technological change, it is crucial that the innovations implemented go hand in hand with traditional values of medical ethics, including respect for medical confidentiality. To achieve this, medics need to use tools that not only make their daily work easier, but also ensure the security of their data while reassuring patients that their privacy is a priority.

1. Accenture. (2018), Patients Want a Heavy Dose of Digital Healthcare.
2. RODO. (2018), Personal Data Protection Regulation.
3. HealthITSecurity. (2017), The Impact of the WannaCry Cyber Attack on Healthcare.
4. World Health Organization. (2020), Telemedicine: Opportunities and Developments in Member States.
5. European Patients' Forum. (2020), Patients' Data, Protection, and Cybersecurity: What You Need to Know.
6. Patient on the Phone report, March 2024.