Public Health Nursing Practice Exam

What is a potential negative effect of reliance on technology in healthcare?

1. Increased efficiency

2. Decrease in patient confidentiality

3. Improvement in healthcare delivery

4. Reduction in healthcare costs

The correct answer is: Decrease in patient confidentiality

Reliance on technology in healthcare can indeed lead to a decrease in patient confidentiality. As healthcare organizations increasingly use electronic health records (EHRs), cloud storage, and other digital solutions, there is a heightened risk of breaches, unauthorized access, and data leaks. This technology can present vulnerabilities that may compromise sensitive patient information, making it critical for healthcare providers to implement robust security measures to protect patient privacy. While advancements in technology have brought about increased efficiency in operations and improvements in healthcare delivery, they simultaneously pose challenges related to data security and patient confidentiality. Similarly, although technology can contribute to cost reductions in healthcare by streamlining processes and reducing paperwork, this is often outweighed by the need for extensive cybersecurity measures and the risk of compromising personal health information.