Tips For Assessing Patient Privacy Levels

If you are considering going to see a counselor, you have some very private things to discuss. That means you want to work with a professional and service that takes your privacy seriously, no matter what it pertains to. You certainly don't want to find out the hard way that they didn't take your privacy as seriously as you thought they would, so take the time to assess them before you actually go to your first appointment. Use the tips below to help you learn how seriously your potential counselor and/or their company takes your privacy.

Ask About Documentation

The convenience of maintaining records online is something that many medical facilities utilize on a regular basis. It works well for them because it makes record-keeping and billing easier, but how well does it work for you? Online information is seemingly regularly accessed by people it shouldn't be seen by. You can better guarantee your privacy if all patient records are handwritten without any kind of computer backups involved.

Pay Attention to Conversations

As you sit in the waiting room, pay attention to the conversations around you. If you hear a patient being discussed, you can avoid confrontation by leaving, but should at some point contact the managerial staff to let them know that you overhead private information that should not have been shared. You might also keep your ears open when walking to the office. A nearby break room might offer enlightenment as to whether or not the staff is discussing patients when they shouldn't be.

Ask About Clients

This particular tip can give you a bit of insight into your counselor as well as letting you know about privacy levels. The staff might tell you some of the issues that they treat, but they should not mention any names or details about specific patients. For example, if you are seeing a counselor because you are depressed, it's helpful for you to know that they consistently treat several types of depression. On the other hand, you should never hear statements like "We have one patient who..." because the next time that conversation happens, it could be you they are talking about.

You have to be able to trust the people you are depending on, like Kay M. Shilling MD PC, to help you deal with your issues. It isn't just about keeping your financial information secure, but your personal information as well. If you do have concerns about the privacy levels the staff uses, talk with an administrator about it so that the issue can be addressed immediately.

     

     


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