Ethics in the digital age: the challenge of protecting privacy in health

In a scenario where technology is transforming healthcare, the security and privacy of patient information are at the centre of the debate. Clear regulations and an ethical and collaborative approach are required to build a safe, reliable and patient-centred healthcare system.

The healthcare sector has undoubtedly made significant progress in diagnosis, treatment and monitoring thanks to technology, but this progress brings new challenges in the protection of sensitive information. Privacy in the digital age is no longer just a legal requirement, but also an ethical responsibility for all institutions and professionals.

As disruptive technologies are adopted, the debate over data confidentiality is intensifying. Who should protect this data? The patient, the institution, or both? While patients own their disease, the question arises as to whether they also own their medical records. Resolving this dilemma is crucial to defining future policies and practices.

These challenges were addressed in the webinar “What patient confidentiality looks like in practice”, organized by Axios International — a pioneering consulting and access to healthcare company with more than 25 years of experience — highlighting the need to adapt regulations and protocols to the digital age, where data protection must be as advanced as the technology that processes it.

In this regard, Dr. Juana Inés Navarrete Martínez, a genetics specialist and coordinator of Genetics at the Faculty of Medicine of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), stressed the relevance of this topic in genetics. Navarrete Martínez noted that “more and more people have access to their genetic information,” which raises questions about how to guarantee the privacy and ethical use of such data. This comment emphasizes the need to update medical practices and adjust them to emerging regulations.

The implementation of electronic medical records has revolutionized the storage and access to medical information, but it has also introduced risks such as vulnerability to cyberattacks. Carlos Salazar Gaytán, president of the National Association of Health Providers (ANAPS), highlighted at the seminar that “protecting patient data is not only a matter of privacy, but also of trust and security in the healthcare system.” His statement highlights the need for robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard critical information and strengthen patient trust.

Silvia Méndez, Head of Operations in Mexico for Axios International, offered figures that illustrate our commitment in this area: “We have served more than 9.5 million patients worldwide and all patients who participate in our initiatives on the five continents give their consent before beginning any treatment within the programs administered by our company.”

This testimony reaffirms the importance of having consent protocols and data protection mechanisms on a global scale, which are essential in an interconnected world. Intersectoral collaboration is essential to guarantee patient privacy.

According to Méndez, healthcare professionals, administrators, technology developers, policymakers and patients must join forces to create an ecosystem that integrates technological advancements with ethical safeguards. “We have also integrated effective digital healthcare applications from the Axios+ digital ecosystem, allowing patients to access their treatment and navigate the healthcare system more quickly and easily, while ensuring their data and security are protected at every point of their journey.”

The accelerated pace of digital transformation thus contrasts with the evolution of regulation in the health sector. While technology advances rapidly, regulations and protocols often lag behind, forcing professionals to stay up to date and adopt secure tools. Educating the population about their privacy rights is essential to strengthen trust in the system and foster a culture of responsibility.

Experience in implementing healthcare technologies shows that the protection of patient information cannot be the sole responsibility of healthcare providers. A comprehensive approach is required, including rigorous regulations, advanced technological solutions, and ongoing training. Only through this joint effort can an environment be guaranteed where security and privacy are pillars of the healthcare system.

In short, digitalisation represents an opportunity to improve healthcare, but also poses the challenge of effectively protecting patient information. The integration of advanced technologies, the development of robust regulations and collaboration between all stakeholders are essential for an innovative, safe and ethical healthcare system.

As evidenced by the statements of Dr. Juana Inés Navarrete Martínez, Carlos Salazar Gaytán and Silvia Méndez, safeguarding data privacy is a moral obligation that transcends the legal and becomes a commitment to patient trust.

Protecting sensitive information is the first step to ensuring quality healthcare, where every patient is confident that their data is treated with the respect and confidentiality they deserve. Ethics, technology and collaboration must converge to forge a future where health is delivered safely, equitably and humanely.

To view the full webinar, click here .

Emergency Room

• Complaints from patients about poor care and lack of medicines, coupled with protests from health personnel, are evidence of the crisis in the health sector, even if we try to hide the sun with a finger.