Meeting the Challenges of Security and Privacy When Using Digital Technology Tools-Presentation and Q&A

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In this video, Dr. John Torres discusses the challenges of security and privacy when using digital technology tools in the context of serious mental illness (SMI) care. He explains that while digital technology tools can offer new benefits in the field of mental health, they also present new risks, particularly in terms of data privacy. He discusses a study that found poor privacy protection in diabetes smartphone apps and highlights the lack of privacy policies in many mental health apps. Dr. Torres then describes the current regulatory landscape, explaining that the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) does not apply to smartphone apps and that the FDA is primarily focused on regulating apps that act as medical devices or have high-risk functionalities. He also mentions the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) as another regulatory body involved in overseeing app privacy and advertising practices. Dr. Torres introduces the FDA's Digital Health Software Pre-Certification (Pre-Cert) program, which aims to provide more streamlined regulatory oversight for software-based medical devices, including smartphone apps. He explains that the program involves categorizing apps based on their risk level and assessing the app developers' commitment to patient safety and product quality. Dr. Torres concludes by highlighting the importance of evaluating the risk and benefit of using apps in SMI care and referencing the American Psychiatric Association's app evaluation framework as a resource for making informed decisions with patients.

Keywords

Dr. John Torres

security and privacy

digital technology tools

serious mental illness care

data privacy

HIPAA

FDA regulations

app evaluation framework