Title: Smart phones and surgeons: privacy and legal issues in Australian healthcare

Authors: Victoria Garwood; Damian Claydon-Platt; Nilmini Wickramasinghe; John Mackay; Philip J. Smart

Addresses: Melbourne Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia ' Health Information, Epworth HealthCare, 89 Bridge Rd Richmond 3121, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia ' Health Information, Epworth HealthCare and Deakin University, 89 Bridge Rd Richmond 3121 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia ' Deceased; formerly of: General Surgery and Gastroenterology Clinical Institute, Australia ' General Surgery and Gastroenterology Clinical Institute, Epworth HealthCare, 89 Bridge Rd Richmond, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Abstract: Smartphone use is widespread and increasing in health with potential to revolutionise many aspects of care. We reviewed current Australian Government legislation as well as hospital, legal and industry body guidelines to clarify best practice and identify technological solutions that satisfy both patients and clinicians alike. Most health services surveyed did not have a policy that appropriately addressed smartphone use by clinicians. Where use was addressed, it was typically banned or allowed with incomplete guidelines non-compliant with legislation. There is an urgent need to develop policies that recognise the ubiquity of smartphone use in healthcare, yet protect patient privacy.

Keywords: privacy; mobile applications; cell phones; photography; mobile health; Australia.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNVO.2018.093924

International Journal of Networking and Virtual Organisations, 2018 Vol.19 No.1, pp.21 - 33

Received: 13 Feb 2016
Accepted: 27 Jul 2016
Published online: 09 Aug 2018 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article