“Worst-case scenario”
In a comment, Ipsit Vahia, MD, medical director at the Institute for Technology and Psychiatry at McLean Hospital, Belmont, Mass., said Vastaamo’s data breach “represents the worst-case scenario for digital health.”
He added that more information is needed about the specifics of the case, including exactly what happened, how the system was hacked, and what information was compromised.
Still, “it raises fundamental questions that healthcare systems, clinicians, and patients everywhere should be asking about what measures are in place to protect electronic medical records and other personal digital information,” said Dr. Vahia.
“This incident also serves as another reminder that the issue of data security and privacy is foundational to digital mental health. Ultimately, without a commitment from all stakeholders to maintaining the strictest levels of security, as well as transparency around how data are handled there will be little to no trust from clinicians or patients,” he said. All of that could prevent digital healthcare from achieving its full potential, he added.
In addition, Dr. Vahia noted that the rapid uptick of telemedicine because of the pandemic has accelerated the use of other forms of digital information in mental healthcare.
“This unfortunate incident should serve as a wake-up call and bring the issue of data protection back firmly into the spotlight,” said Dr. Vahia.
Now that telehealth has become a larger part of clinical practice, said Torous, it’s important for clinicians to be vigilant regarding security procedures.
“Telehealth and digital data are here to stay, and with them new benefits as well as risks. We can continue to work to minimize the risks and protect privacy while ensuring the benefits to patients expand,” he added.
This article first appeared on Medscape.com.