HealthSync Blog Series – Part 8

Digital consent – your health data sharing වල most important decision! Let’s understand how it works! 💡

🎯 Consent කියන්නේ මොකද?

Simple Definition 📝

Consent = Your permission to use/share your health data for specific purposes

Not Just “Yes” or “No” – It’s about:

• WHO gets your data? 👥
• WHAT data they get? 📋
• WHY they need it? 🎯
• HOW LONG they keep it? ⏰
• WHEN you can withdraw? ❌

❌ Bad Consent vs ✅ Good Consent

❌ What BAD Consent Looks Like:

“I agree to Terms & Conditions” ✅ (Single checkbox)

Problems:

• Don’t know what you’re agreeing to
• Can’t choose specific permissions
• Hard to withdraw
• Used for everything without asking again

✅ What GOOD Consent Looks Like:

“Share my data with:”

✅ Dr. Silva (Cardiologist) – Heart condition monitoring – 6 months ❌ Insurance risk assessment – Marketing purposes
✅ Emergency contacts – Critical situations only ❌ Research studies – Anonymous data only

Change anytime: Withdraw • Modify • View usage

👥 WHO Gets Your Health Data?

Essential Sharing (Usually Required) 🏥

Primary Healthcare Team:

• Your doctor – Diagnosis සහ treatment සඳහා ✅
• Specialist referrals – Expert consultation අවශ්‍ය විට ✅
• Lab technicians – Test results interpretation ✅
• Pharmacists – Prescription safety checking ✅
• Emergency contacts – Life-threatening situations ✅

Optional Sharing (Your Choice) 🤷‍♀️

Insurance Companies:

• Claim processing: Required data only
• Risk assessment: You can refuse!
• Wellness programs: Optional participation

Family Members:

• Emergency access: Critical situations
• Caregiver support: Elderly parent care
• Health monitoring: Children health tracking

⚠️ RED FLAGS – Who Should NEVER Get Access:

❌ Marketing companies – Personal health ads
❌ Social media platforms – Profile building
❌ Loan companies – Credit decisions
❌ Dating apps – Health status discrimination
❌ Employers – Non-job related conditions

🔄 How Consent Management Works

Step-by-Step Process 📱

1. Clear Request 📋

“Dr. Perera (Dermatologist) requests access to:

– Skin condition photos (last 6 months)

– Allergy history

– Current medications

Purpose: Specialist consultation

Duration: Until treatment complete

2. Your Decision 🤔

• Review what’s being requested
• Understand why it’s needed
• Check who else can see it
• Set time limits

3. Granular Control 🎛️

✅ Skin photos – YES

✅ Allergy history – YES

❌ Mental health records – NO

❌ Family medical history – NO

💡 Smart Consent Strategies

The “Need-to-Know” Approach 🎯

Principle: Share minimum necessary data for maximum benefit

Example – Diabetes Management:

Endocrinologist: ✅ Blood sugar logs, medication history

Cardiologist: ✅ Heart condition data + diabetes impact

Dentist: ✅ Diabetes status only (affects gum health)

Employer wellness: ❌ No diabetes details needed

Insurance: ✅ Relevant claims data only

Time-Limited Permissions ⏰

Smart Defaults:

• Specialist consultations: 3-6 months
• Emergency contacts: Until revoked
• Research participation: Study duration only
• Insurance claims: Claim processing period
• Employer health programs: Annual renewal

🎯 Best Practices for Patients

Daily Consent Hygiene 🧹

Weekly Review:

✅ Active permissions audit – Who currently has access?
✅ Remove unused access – Old doctors, completed treatments
✅ Update emergency contacts – Contact info changes
✅ Check sharing logs – Any unexpected access?

Before Medical Visits: ✅ Review consent request – මොකද්ද අවශ්‍ය
✅ Ask specific questions – Clarity get කරන්න
✅ Set time limits – Automatic expiry dates
✅ Document decisions – Why you agreed/refused

Emergency Preparedness 🚨

Smart Emergency Setup:

• Medical ID accessible – Phone lock screen emergency info
• Trusted contacts designated – Family members who can decide
• Critical conditions flagged – Allergies, chronic conditions prominent
• Emergency consent pre-approved – Life-saving treatments

🔚 Your Data, Your Rules!

Remember: Consent isn’t one-time decision – it’s ongoing relationship with your health data! 🔄

Key Takeaways: 🎯 Specific consent > Blanket permissions
⏰ Time limits protect long-term privacy
👥 Need-to-know basis minimizes risk
📱 Digital tools make management easier
🚨 Emergency planning saves lives

Your health data = Your most personal asset. Share it wisely, protect it fiercely! 💪

Take Control of Your Health Data Today! 🚀

🌐 www.healthsync.lk/privacy-and-security