E-Health Ethical Standards

Term Paper # 108970

Computer and Technology > Internet
Computer and Technology > Technology
Ethics

This paper discusses ethical standards for Internet-based health information.

1,182 words () | 11 sources | APA | 2007 United States

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer notes that laws such as The Hospital Information Privacy and Portability (HIPPA) have limited the ability for e-health providers to use or transfer patient information without permission of the patient. The writer maintains that patients believe that online interactions are more unsafe then those interactions completed by phone or in person. Despite this distrust e-health continues to grow. Due to the large amount of ethical issues that can come up when using e-health, this paper concentrates on what information is appropriate to place on e-health Internet sites. The writer notes that little legislation has been enacted to determine what information is appropriate for posting as part of an e-health program. At present the responsibility to post e-health information in an ethical manner still falls on the provider. The writer concludes that e-health providers must be sure to act in accordance with the standards that have been nearly unanimously suggested to provide patient safety.

Outline:
Introduction
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"E-health information is often located on websites which may sell advertising space to outside parties that are not directly linked to the e-health site. According to most ethical standards the sale of advertising space on an e-health site is not in itself unethical, but there must be an obvious indicator that the advertisement is not part of the health information being offered. A second ethical issue that is apparent in the sale of advertising space to third parties is the quality of information in the advertisements. The e-health provider has an obligation to ensure that information placed on the website is reliable, regardless of whom has written the information."

Sample of Sources Used:

Boulding, M. E. (2000). Self-regulation: Who needs it? Health Affairs, 19(6), 132-139. Retrieved November 4, 2007, from ABI/INFORM Global database. (Document ID: 64786829).
Carey, M (2001). The Internet healthcare coalition: E-health ethics initiative. American Dietetic Association. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 101(8), 878. Retrieved November 4, 2007, from Research Library database. (Document ID: 77807577).
Chandra, A., Sikula, A.,& Paul, D. (2004). Ethical considerations in the marketing of e-health products. International Journal of Medical Marketing, 4(2), 110-118. Retrieved November 4, 2007, from ABI/INFORM Global database. (Document ID: 623333541).
E-Health ethics summit offers world international code of ethics for the health internet. (2000, February). PR Newswire,1. Retrieved November 4, 2007, from Business Dateline database. (Document ID: 49834034).
Ethics code sets standard for e-health entities; compliance will be voluntary. (2000, August). Health Care Strategic Management, 18(8), 9. Retrieved November 4, 2007, from ABI/INFORM Global database. (Document ID: 57517521).