Data breach risk is barrier to mobile health adoption

12-03-2014

Healthcare IT professionals’ greatest concern around mobile health technologies is the potential of a breach of patient data, according to a recent survey of HIMSS14 attendees conducted by global software company Axway.

Conducted at the HIMSS annual conference in Orlando, the poll found that 45 percent of individuals surveyed believe the greatest barrier to mobile health adoption is the risk of a data breach, followed by meeting regulatory and compliance requirements for the privacy and security of patient data.

It also found that 44 percent of those surveyed believe the integration of disparate health IT systems is the most challenging IT issue facing healthcare organizations; 53 percent believe that improved access to healthcare information is the most important benefit driving mobile health adoption; and 38 percent believe that the widespread adoption of mobile health services is one to three years away. Nearly 90 percent believe it will occur within five years.

The results demonstrate the rising trend of mobile health services and reflect growing concerns of healthcare professionals regarding the risks associated with new services.

“Mobile health is not only helping improve clinical outcomes and lower medical costs, it is also becoming a way to differentiate services and win over new customers as they are given more choices for insurance and providers,” said Rob Meyer, vice president of solutions, vertical marketing and management, Axway.

“The risk of data breaches, HIPAA compliance, and reliability have been some of the biggest issues for the hundreds of payers and providers we’ve worked with. But they do not have to be a barrier. Together we have repeatedly been able to put in place the technology and processes needed to avoid breaches and ensure compliance in major mobile health initiatives.”

The Axway poll was conducted at HIMSS14 Annual Conference & Exhibition in Orlando, Florida and includes responses from 39 healthcare IT and business professionals.

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