AHIC Review Course 8: Ethics and Practice in Health Informatics - Unit 1: Foundational Introduction

A set of Q&A flashcards covering core concepts from the lecture on ethics and professionalism in health informatics, including governance, laws, ethical principles, domains, and practical considerations.

Who is the instructor for this lecture on ethics in professional practice?

Dr. Deborah Ariosto, PhD, RN-BC, FAMIA, retired director of nursing analytics in patient care informatics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

What is the primary learning objective of this session?

To identify key ethical principles and aspects of professionalism in health informatics and understand responsibilities to the profession, employers, and stakeholders.

How is Health Informatics (HI) defined in the notes?

The science of using data, information, and knowledge to improve human health and health care delivery.

What is the underlying premise of professionalism in HI?

Ethical success characterized by integrity, respect, commitment, and sensitivity, plus staying up-to-date with technologies.

How are ethics and professionalism distinguished according to the notes?

Ethics are moral principles guiding behavior; professionalism is ethical conduct with competence and up-to-date skills.

Which official website is recommended as a starting point for HI laws and regulations?

The Official Website of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (healthit.gov).

What are the Belmont Report’s three main ethical principles?

Respect for persons, beneficence, and justice.

What additional principle did the AMA add to the Belmont principles?

Nonmaleficence (do no harm).

Which HI domains are highlighted as part of domain considerations?

Translational Bioinformatics, Clinical Research Informatics, Clinical Informatics, Consumer Health Informatics, Public Health Informatics.

What are the core elements of AMIA’s 2018 Code of Professional and Ethical Conduct?

Responsibility to patients, colleagues, employers/business partners, society, and research.

Name some data privacy laws mentioned in the notes.

HIPAA (US), EU GDPR, California Consumer Privacy Act; plus other state and international laws.

What does interoperability refer to in the HI context?

Data sharing and data blocking considerations under the 21st Century Cures Act to enhance patient access.

What is a data breach as described in the notes?

An impermissible use or disclosure that compromises the security or privacy of protected health information (PHI); can be intentional or unintentional.

What does 'Lawfulness' refer to in data privacy?

There is no single overarching privacy law; multiple laws exist (e.g., HIPAA, GDPR, state laws); understand and navigate them with expert guidance.

What are the components of Privacy and Data Access considerations listed?

Consent; accountability and accuracy; collection and use; safeguarding; deidentification/anonymization; transparency/disclosure/disposition; individual access; lawfulness.

What is meant by the 'chain of custody' in privacy considerations?

Informed consent and the stewardship of personal information as data flows through its lifecycle.

How are the Belmont pillars summarized with the AMA addition?

Autonomy (respect for persons), Beneficence, Justice; Nonmaleficence added by AMA.

In the ethics framework, what principle is illustrated by informed consent and privacy?

Autonomy.

What does Beneficence require in health informatics ethics?

Protection from harm and consideration of risks and benefits to individuals and society.

What does Justice mean in ethical decision-making?

Fairness and equitable treatment, including unbiased subject selection and population representation.

What does Nonmaleficence mean in this context?

Do no harm; avoid causing unnecessary harm to individuals or populations.

Give an example of an ethical design question related to consent or dashboards mentioned in the notes.

Should electronic signature pads reveal exactly what is being signed; what patient data is essential on dashboards viewed by staff or visitors?

What are the three branches of ethics discussed (Meta-, Normative-, Applied) and their focus?

Meta-ethics: nature of right/good; Normative ethics: published standards (e.g., Belmont); Applied ethics: current situations guided by normative ethics and personal judgment.

What ethical concerns are highlighted for Translational Bioinformatics?

Ethical questions about acquiring, storing, and using genetics and genomic data.

What ethical concerns are highlighted for Clinical Research Informatics?

Management of clinical trial data and secondary use of clinical/personal data, including informed consent and privacy.

What ethical concerns are highlighted for Public Health Informatics?

Privacy and autonomy concerns in surveillance, reporting, and public health interventions (e.g., contact tracing).

What is the impact of the 21st Century Cures Act on HI practice?

Promotes data sharing, reduces data blocking, and includes certification requirements to improve patient access to data.