Legal and Regulatory Considerations Associated with Use of Patient-Generated Health Data from Social Media and Mobile Health (mHealth) Devices

C. Petersen; P. DeMuro

doi:10.4338/ACI-2014-09-R-0082

Applied Clinical Informatics, Table of Contents

Appl Clin Inform 2015; 06(01): 16-26
DOI: 10.4338/ACI-2014-09-R-0082

Review

Schattauer GmbH

Legal and Regulatory Considerations Associated with Use of Patient-Generated Health Data from Social Media and Mobile Health (mHealth) Devices

C. Petersen

¹Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA

,

P. DeMuro

²Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA

³Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt, Seattle, Washington, USA

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Summary

Patient-generated health data are coming into broader use across the health care spectrum and hold great promise as a means to improve care and health outcomes. At the same time, rapid evolution in the social media and mobile health (mHealth) market has promoted an environment in which creation and transmission of personal health information is easy, quick, and appealing to patients. However, adoption of social media and mHealth by providers is hampered by legal and regulatory concerns with regard to data ownership and data use. This article defines common forms of patient-generated health data (PGHD) and describes how PGHD is used in clinical settings. It explores issues related to protection of personal health information, including that of children and adolescents, data security, and other potential barriers such as physician licensure. It also discusses regulatory and legal considerations providers and patients should consider before using social media and mobile health apps.

Citation: Petersen C, DeMuro P. Legal and regulatory considerations associated with use of patient-generated health data from social media and mobile health (mHealth) devices. Appl Clin Inf 2015; 6: 16–26

http://dx.doi.org/10.4338/ACI-2014-09-R-0082

Keywords

Social media - mobile health - mobile apps - patient outcome assessment - legislation & jurisprudence

Full Text

References

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