Joint replacement recipients' views about health information privacy. (1st October 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Terry, Amanda L.; Chesworth, Bert M.; Bourne, Robert B.; Stolee, Paul; Speechley, Mark
• Is Part Of: Health expectations. Volume 18:Number 5(2015)
• Page Start: 1519
• Page End: 1529
• Publication Date: 2013-10-01
• Subjects: health information privacy -- joint replacement patients -- patients' attitudes; Medical policy -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; Health planning -- Periodicals; 362.105
• DOI: 10.1111/hex.12142
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1369-6513

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Researchers are concerned about the possibility of restricted access to data as a result of specific consent requirements in privacy legislation, potentially resulting in smaller samples and a lack of representativeness which could bias results. In addition, there is uncertainty about what influences individuals to give consent for the use of their personal health information. Objective: To measure joint replacement recipients' health information privacy views and to assess potential predictors of these views. Design: Cross‐sectional survey. Setting and participants: Potential joint replacement recipients from two teaching hospitals in London, Ontario, Canada. Main variables: Age, gender, education, employment status, anticipated joint replacement, and expectations for surgery. Main outcome measures: Privacy concerns as measured by the Concern Scale. Results: The response rate was 182/253 or 72%. The mean Concern score was 143.9/235.0 for the total sample (range = 82–216). Women had higher levels of privacy concerns than men on slightly over half of the individual questionnaire items. In women, surgical joint, age and employment explained 15% of the variance in concerns about personal health information privacy ( P = 0.001). The model explained 6% of the variance in concerns in men ( P = 0.138) and was not statistically significant. Discussion and conclusion: This study indicates that demographic characteristics and health‐care experiences play a role in the variability of health information privacy concerns. A greater understanding of patients' privacy views about health information could lead to a greater harmonization among privacy rules, research and data access, and the preferences of health‐care consumers.