Dr. Rob’s Video Transcript
We can get real technical with privacy. We talked about it a little bit in another video. But the bottom line is the information shared with you is with you as a trusted caregiver, part of the care team under legal obligations that that information stays between you and your client, and is only shared with those that you have written permission to share it further. It is that simple.
Do not talk in the elevator. Everyone always thinks you’re talking about their relative. Don’t talk about your patients over lunch in a specific manner or in a way where they could be identified. Don’t share any social media at all with regards to what you’re doing with any given patient, client, or neighborhood. People can understand and sometimes figure out who that was.
That can affect their employment. That can affect their life insurance. That can affect their relationship with their children. That can cause modified wills or family fights, and it can get in the way of them trusting you for care.
It is your patient’s information they are trusting you with. It is their deepest, darkest secret, is the way to view it, and treat it that way. And if somehow the secret gets out, you have to let the caregiver you’re working with know and the patient know so they can do things to control it.
For instance, if there is a file on your computer as part of your job and your computer gets stolen, you have to let people know. That’s called a breach. Ask your caregiver what to do about a breach and report it immediately based on their recommendation of what to do.
Thank you.
Learn It
As telehealth and online health tools become more common, protecting personal health information is essential. Digital Navigators must teach users how to create strong passwords, recognize phishing scams, and understand why secure websites and encrypted platforms matter.
Navigators also help users understand their privacy rights under laws like HIPAA, (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) which safeguard sensitive medical data. Empowering users with this knowledge helps them stay safe and confident while using digital healthcare tools.
Live It
Practice reviewing privacy settings and security tools on your own devices.
Create strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and learn to spot suspicious emails or links. Visit a patient portal and examine how it protects data. Then, help someone else do the same—explaining each step clearly.
Hands-on experience builds your skills as a navigator and strengthens users’ digital security habit
Share It
Create a short guide titled “Stay Safe With Telehealth: Protect Your Health Information.”
- Include tips such as using strong passwords
- Avoiding public Wi-Fi
- Recognizing phishing attempts
- Understanding HIPAA protections.
Share it with classmates or on your Force for Health feed.
Encourage others to take small steps that dramatically improve online security and protect their personal health information.
