University efforts to address confidentiality issues for STI services

Abstract

Objective: This study assessed university policies for addressing confidentiality issues for students seeking STI services. Participants: Universities with sponsored health insurance plans (SHIP) and/or wellness centers were selected from a university health services survey in 2017. Methods: STI service coverage and polices for addressing confidentiality issues related to explanation of benefit (EOB) forms were stratified by institution type (4-year versus 2-year) and minority serving institution (MSI) status. Rao-Scott chi-square tests were used to assess for differences in STI service coverage and polices. Results: More non-MSIs (61.6%) had SHIPs compared to MSIs (40.0%, p?<?.001). Only 40.8% of health centers had a policy for addressing EOB-related confidently issues. Of those, the most reported policy was that students could pay out-of-pocket to avoid generating an EOB (36.2%). Conclusions: Reducing confidentiality barriers are important for STI prevention in students. Universities may consider establishing policies for addressing EOB-related confidentiality concerns.     

Cost-containment,computers and confidentiality

The profession of social work has clear standards to follow in protecting confidentiality when a client discloses information in a psychotherapy session. These standards are examined in relation to an ever-increasing diresrefard for privacy as staff of managed care for mental health services and employee assistance programs gather and store information in computer databases, with the overall objective of cost-containment. Ethical principles are discussed and suggestions are made for safeguarding, the client's right to privacy.     

OTPs in NY to help study telemedicine to treat hepatitis C

Seven opioid treatment programs (OTPs) at 12 locations in New York state will participate in a study that uses telemedicine to integrate the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). The goal is to achieve better outcomes by delivering HCV treatment on‐site via telemedicine, instead of referring out. It makes sense that this would be more effective than sending patients elsewhere, but the study needs to be done.     

Privacy and confidentiality in social work

Abstract

In the human services confidentiality is a central principle defining the relationship between the worker and the client. In this paper the authors argue that the human services have privileged the notion of confidentiality over the more fundamental right of privacy. They argue there is a persistent confusion between these two concepts and that privacy is an important but neglected ethical concept within human services. The authors discuss the relationship between privacy and confidentiality and identii some of the implications of the privacy concept for practice.     

LAC: How to mitigate against loss of confidentiality in CARES Act

When the demise of the federal law and regulation protecting substance use disorder (SUD) treatment record confidentiality was quickly sealed with the passages of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act March 27 (see “CARES Act eliminates most of 42 CFR Part 2,” ADAW, April 6, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/adaw.32678 ), the Legal Action Center (LAC) was right there with patients, as it still is, decrying the loss of this important safeguard. Now, however, it's time for the law firm to do what it does best — work to get the language as good as it can be in what will be the new regulation. In an overview of the CARES Act amendments regarding confidentiality released by LAC last week, this important point was made: Those amendments don't take effect until March 27, 2021.     

A sustainable urban regeneration project to protect biodiversity

Urban Ecosystems - The sustainable urban redevelopment project to protect biodiversity was developed to regenerate the external spaces of an ancient rural farmhouse, Villa Framarino, in the...     

NY: OASAS holding back payments to counties by 31%

You may have read the story in the Buffalo News about there being a 31% cut to treatment in New York state ( https://buffalonews.com/news/state‐and‐regional/govt‐and‐politics/substance‐abuse‐treatment‐programs‐warn‐of‐dire‐consequences‐from‐cuts/article_634322da‐c2bc‐11ea‐9ffb‐bb3c0962ace6.html ). It's a good story, but misleading in terms of facts.     

Issues of confidentiality when working with persons with AIDS

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has increasingly become a serious public health threat in our contemporary society. The number of cases has grown rapidly since the disease was first reported and the total number of cases has been estimated to be close to 270,000 in the United States alone, according to some sources (Gray, 1988). Many of the affected, their sexual partners and families, will be recipients of social work services. In addition to therapeutic skills for effective intervention, the issues of confidentiality and related legal and ethical implications warrant serious examination and consideration for all clinical social workers working with this population. Specific practice suggestions will be explored.