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The Epidemiology of Patients' Email Addresses in a French University Hospital: Case-Control Study.

Vincent LootenAntoine NeurazNicolas GarcelonAnita BurgunGilles ChatellierBastien Rance
Published in: Journal of medical Internet research (2021)
Emails have been collected only recently in our institution. The importance of the year of last contact probably reflects this recent change in contact information collection policy. The demographic characteristics and especially the age distribution are likely the result of a population bias in the hospital: patients providing email are more likely to be treated for chronic diseases. A risk analysis of the use of email revealed several situations that could constitute a breach of privacy that is both likely and with major consequences. Patients treated for chronic diseases are more likely to provide an email address, and are also more at risk in case of privacy breach. Several common situations could expose their private information. We recommend a very restrictive use of the emails for health communication.
Keyphrases
  • healthcare
  • end stage renal disease
  • newly diagnosed
  • health information
  • ejection fraction
  • public health
  • prognostic factors
  • emergency department
  • artificial intelligence
  • health insurance
  • patient reported