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PPV: Physicians-Blog without violating patient privacy

EHR Connection, June 9, 2008

Imagine a place where physicians can support each other in difficult situations, discuss case-specific successes, and compare notes about everything from pay-for-performance to the efficiency of information technology.

This interaction is luring many physicians to the online blogging community—also known as the physician blogosphere—where bloggers post about their experiences or opinions in a journal-style format.

“The feedback, critiques, and encouragement have been extremely helpful,” says physician blogger Nicholas Genes, MD, PhD, a resident in the emergency medicine program at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. Genes writes “Blogborygmi: A digest of developments in the life of an emergency medicine resident” and compiles “Grand Rounds,” a weekly collection of posts from the physician blogosphere. However, this exchange of information comes at the price of a potential privacy breach, says Reece Hirsch, Esq., of Sonnenschein Nath and Rosenthal, LLP, in San Francisco. “Given the broad definition of PHI and the number of physicians blogging, it seems like a recipe for a HIPAA violation,” says Hirsch.

Click here to learn more about what physician bloggers should do to safeguard patient information when sharing experiences with their readers. .

The cost is $10. Briefings on HIPAA subscribers can sign on for free access.

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