EHR in the perspective of security, integrity and ethics

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Information Security
• Societal Impact of Technology

Background:

• Modern healthcare relies on digital tools like electronic health records (EHRs).
• User awareness, confidence, and acceptance are critical for the success of these systems.
• Proactive identification of concerns enables ethical, social, and societal interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review security, privacy, authentication, integrity, and ethical aspects of EHR systems.
• To examine EHR operation in diverse healthcare settings: hospitals, open care, and community sectors.
• To reference current and emerging international standards for EHR systems.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of security, privacy, and ethical considerations in EHR systems.
• Analysis of EHR operational aspects across different healthcare environments.
• Identification and discussion of relevant international standards.

Main Results:

• EHR success is directly correlated with end-user trust and acceptance.
• Specific vulnerabilities in security, privacy, authentication, and data integrity were observed.
• Ethical considerations are paramount in EHR system deployment and operation.

Conclusions:

• Addressing user trust and technical/ethical concerns is vital for successful EHR implementation.
• Continuous monitoring and adherence to international standards are necessary for secure and ethical EHR use.
• Proactive management of EHR-related issues fosters societal acceptance and improves healthcare delivery.