To Wallet or Not to Wallet: The Debate over Digital Health Information Storage

Abstract

The concept of the health wallet, a digital platform that consolidates health-related information, has garnered significant attention in the past year. Electronic health data storage and transmission have become increasingly prevalent in the healthcare industry, with the potential to revolutionize healthcare delivery. This paper emphasizes the significance of recognizing and addressing the ethical implications of digital health technologies and prioritizes ethical considerations in their development. The adoption of health wallets has theoretical contributions, including the development of personalized medicine through comprehensive data collection, reducing medical errors through consolidated information, and enabling research for the improvement of existing treatments and interventions. Health wallets also empower individuals to manage their own health by providing access to their health data, allowing them to make informed decisions. The findings herein emphasize the importance of informing patients about their rights to control their health data and have access to it while protecting their privacy and confidentiality. This paper stands out by presenting practical recommendations for healthcare organizations and policymakers to ensure the safe and effective implementation of health wallets.