Confidentiality and Electronic Health Records: Keeping Up With Advances in Technology and Expectations for Access

Abstract

In the first issue of Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology (CPPP), Smolyansky et al. (2013) described experiences and decisions making related to the implementation an electronic health record (EHR) at 4 children’s hospitals. Two years later, the Society of Pediatric Psychology (Division 54 of the American Psychological Association) listserv continues to be a forum for discussion of EHR confidentiality specific to a pediatric medical setting, reflecting the learning curve involved when implementing an EHR. The purpose of this commentary is to highlight the unique ethical considerations in the use of electronic health records in a pediatric medical setting. Unique issues related to documentation for a pediatric population, interprofessional teams, trainees, and adapting documentation practices for the ever evolving technology and expectation for information access.

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