3 ms·
That is not entirely true. HIPAA rules pertain to individually identifiable health information - one must be able to use the information and identify the person
by dr_ 15y ago
That is not entirely true. HIPAA rules pertain to individually identifiable health information - one must be able to use the information and identify the person it is connected to.
Online reviews are typically anonymous in nature, and the average person reading them would likely not know the actual identity of the individual by the person writing it or the physicians response.
- michael_miller 15y agoBut what is 'personally identifiable'? Say a patient had a complaint about the cost of a visit, and stormed out of the office saying 'screw you' in the waiting room, and the review noted this. Other patients who were in the waiting room would likely be able to identify the patient. Would a doctor responding to the (anonymous) complaint, noting details about a patient's illness constitute personally identifiable information? It's not easy from a doctor's perspective to identify such situations, and it's a very sticky area. Given that it's a sticky area, do you think any doctor would risk crossing the line? There are large legal risks involved here.