Ethics and the Internet

1
Ethics and the Internet

• Helga E. Rippen, MD, PhD, MPH
• CoChair, eHealth Ethics Initiative
• Chair, Internet Healthcare Coalition
• (Director of Medical Informatics, Pfizer Health
  Solutions, Inc.)

2
Why Now?

• Critical mass and exponential growth
• New/non-health participants
• Questionable practices
• Bad press
• Legislation/regulation concerns
• Increased use of Internet by healthcare

3
Code of Ethics eHealth Code
Translation Implementation
Self-Regulation URAC, HON, Hi-Ethics, AMA
Domain Name Restrictions WHO (dot.health)
Regulation FTC, FDA
4
The 8 Principles

• 1. Candour trustworthiness
• 2. Truthfulness non-deception
• 3. Quality
• 4. Informed consent
• 5. Privacy data security
• 6. Professionalism best practices
• 7. Responsible partnering
• 8. Accountability

5
What Does This Mean to You?

• Regulation and/or accreditation
• Trust issue
• You will be impacted -- so start now

What Should You Do?
6
Predictions

• New profession -- ethics officer
• Some regulation (escalation possible)
• Included as part of accreditation

7
Resources

• eHealth Code of Ethics http//www.ihealthcoalition
  .org
• Criteria for assessing Quality on the Internet
  http//hitiweb.mitretek.org/hswg