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I'm a high school freshman, and I want to get familiar with the HIPAA guidelines as a family friend (Gastrointestinal Surgeon) has offered to let me shadow him for a bit; anyone got any sources to help?
I just want to know where to look to get familiar with the guidelines so that I do not accidentally breach the patient's privacy. Also, any tips for shadowing would be useful. Thank you.
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Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Ahren !
I would be very happy to advise you on this great question as I have had extensive experience (when I was a social service case manager) using HIPAA forms and processes including implementing them.
This form is designed for the main stream medical and mental health fields to protect patients and clients privacy rights. Interactions between the provider of services and their patients and clients are confidential but sometimes personal information needs to be released to other parties in order to serve the person fully and efficiently. The HIPAA Law was enacted in 1996. It is a form for the patient or client. By the patient or client signing the form, they are giving permission for their worker/doctor to talk to a certain person (that would be you named on the HIPAA form) about personal health information and identifying information. So it is the patient that is giving permission to you, Ahren, to be in the room watching them be examined and listening to their personal information. They trust that you will keep it confidential - even if someone you know comes in. The person being served sometimes feels okay about giving their permission and sometimes does not want anyone unnecessary knowing their private business. You do not sign or fill out the form, the doctor is responsible for completing the HIPAA form and the patient will sign it if they choose. So you don't have to "do" anything, just shadow the patients your shadow sponsor tells you are okay to shadow. Just follow the lead of the doctor you are shadowing.
I left a link below just for you to read, but you will not have to do anything with the form.
I remember that I had one client for which I had to write out 45 HIPAA forms for every year because he had a heavy case and many other workers and doctors whom I was frequently in contact with. So in order for me to even tell one of his other workers and even his family members, that he was admitted to the hospital, I had to have a HIPAA form naming that other worker or person who I would release the information to. So it's basically an agreement between the patient and doctor with the patient giving permission of who the doctor can make aware of patient health information and identifying information like name, address, phone number, birthdate.
I hope that this is helpful and reassurance that you have nothing really to write out or do. Just enjoy the shadowing experience and I wish you all the best !
ABOUT HIPAA AND USABLE FORM https://www.hipaajournal.com/hipaa-release-form/
I would be very happy to advise you on this great question as I have had extensive experience (when I was a social service case manager) using HIPAA forms and processes including implementing them.
This form is designed for the main stream medical and mental health fields to protect patients and clients privacy rights. Interactions between the provider of services and their patients and clients are confidential but sometimes personal information needs to be released to other parties in order to serve the person fully and efficiently. The HIPAA Law was enacted in 1996. It is a form for the patient or client. By the patient or client signing the form, they are giving permission for their worker/doctor to talk to a certain person (that would be you named on the HIPAA form) about personal health information and identifying information. So it is the patient that is giving permission to you, Ahren, to be in the room watching them be examined and listening to their personal information. They trust that you will keep it confidential - even if someone you know comes in. The person being served sometimes feels okay about giving their permission and sometimes does not want anyone unnecessary knowing their private business. You do not sign or fill out the form, the doctor is responsible for completing the HIPAA form and the patient will sign it if they choose. So you don't have to "do" anything, just shadow the patients your shadow sponsor tells you are okay to shadow. Just follow the lead of the doctor you are shadowing.
I left a link below just for you to read, but you will not have to do anything with the form.
I remember that I had one client for which I had to write out 45 HIPAA forms for every year because he had a heavy case and many other workers and doctors whom I was frequently in contact with. So in order for me to even tell one of his other workers and even his family members, that he was admitted to the hospital, I had to have a HIPAA form naming that other worker or person who I would release the information to. So it's basically an agreement between the patient and doctor with the patient giving permission of who the doctor can make aware of patient health information and identifying information like name, address, phone number, birthdate.
I hope that this is helpful and reassurance that you have nothing really to write out or do. Just enjoy the shadowing experience and I wish you all the best !
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
Thank you, this is really helpful
Ahren
You are very welcome, Ahren !
Michelle M.
Updated
Will’s Answer
hey Ahren,
Welcome to CareerVillage and great job posting your first question here.
First of all, it's an amazing that you have the opportunity to shadow a Gastrointestinal Surgeon! Also, it's very considerable and necessary you are checking HIPPA guidelines to ensure the patient privacy is respected. Here are some resources as a starting point:
- Official HIPAA Website:
hhs.gov/hipaa
- HIPAA Privacy Rule Summary:
hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/laws-regulations
- Online Courses and Tutorials - Those websites offer various HIPAA compliance courses and tutorials
Udemy: udemy.com
Coursera: coursera.org
LinkedIn Learning: linkedin.com/learning
As for shadowing, it would be helpful to directly discuss your concerns with the Gastrointestinal Surgeon who has offered the opportunity. They can provide specific guidance and advice based on their experience and the specific healthcare facility's policies.
Best luck!
Welcome to CareerVillage and great job posting your first question here.
First of all, it's an amazing that you have the opportunity to shadow a Gastrointestinal Surgeon! Also, it's very considerable and necessary you are checking HIPPA guidelines to ensure the patient privacy is respected. Here are some resources as a starting point:
- Official HIPAA Website:
hhs.gov/hipaa
- HIPAA Privacy Rule Summary:
hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/laws-regulations
- Online Courses and Tutorials - Those websites offer various HIPAA compliance courses and tutorials
Udemy: udemy.com
Coursera: coursera.org
LinkedIn Learning: linkedin.com/learning
As for shadowing, it would be helpful to directly discuss your concerns with the Gastrointestinal Surgeon who has offered the opportunity. They can provide specific guidance and advice based on their experience and the specific healthcare facility's policies.
Best luck!
Thanks for the advice.
Ahren