Combining HIPAA compliant email and assistive technology

Assistive technology in healthcare is all about tools and devices that help people with disabilities manage their health more effectively. From screen readers that read out loud to special keyboards that make typing easier, this technology is a game changer. It makes sure that everyone has equal access to healthcare services, making sure no one is left behind because of their physical limitations. 

The application of assistive technology in healthcare 

A study appearing in Signal Processing For Neurorehabilitation and Assistive Technologies provides the following definition: “Assistive technologies are any devices, software, or equipment that is used to aid its users in carrying out challenging tasks. In health care, these technologies can be categorized further depending on their architecture and main purpose.”

For healthcare providers, using assistive technology means they can offer better, more personalized care. They can communicate more clearly and effectively with all their patients, ensuring instructions and information are understood by everyone.

The problem with not fully integrating assistive technology is that it can leave patients feeling isolated and unsupported. Without these tools, some might not be able to access health information or communicate properly with their doctors. 

When using assistive technology alongside communication methods like email, we open up a whole new world of interaction. Patients can receive, read, and understand their health information privately and comfortably, leading to better health management and a deeper trust in their healthcare providers.

See also: Creating emails that integrate with software for the visually impaired

Why HIPAA compliant email improves assistive technology

Integrating HIPAA compliant email with assistive technology ensures that patient information shared is accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities. This has added benefits such as allowing a visually impaired person to receive their medical documents via email and have them read aloud through a screen reader, or where someone with limited mobility can easily navigate their health records using specially designed interfaces.

HIPAA compliant email acts as a secure channel, shielding personal health information from unauthorized access, while assistive technology makes this information understandable and usable. This combination improves patient autonomy, allowing individuals to actively participate in their healthcare decisions with confidence and independence.

How to combine HIPAA compliant email and assistive technology

1. Customize email accessibility features: Implement responsive email designs that adapt to different screen sizes and resolutions. Include high contrast modes and options to increase font size within the email platform itself, helping those with visual impairments.
2. Select HIPAA compliant email services: Choose an email provider that offers HIPAA compliant email services. These providers should be willing to sign a business associate agreement (BAA).
3. Use of voice recognition software: Integrate voice recognition capabilities that allow users to dictate emails verbally and navigate through emails via voice commands. This can be incredibly beneficial for patients with motor impairments or those who find typing difficult.
4. Tailored training modules: Develop tailored training modules for healthcare staff focused on the intersection of HIPAA compliance and the use of assistive technologies. Include scenario based training to handle specific types of patient inquiries that may come up and the appropriate use of technology in those scenarios.
5. Accessibility audits: Conduct periodic accessibility audits of your email systems in collaboration with accessibility experts and actual users of assistive technology. This testing can uncover practical challenges and nuances that lab based tests might miss.

See also: Top HIPAA compliant email services

FAQs

What is a BAA, and why is it important?

A BAA is a contract between a HIPAA covered entity and a vendor with access to patient health information. 

What types of disabilities benefit from assistive technologies in email systems?

Individuals with a wide range of disabilities can benefit, including those with visual impairments (using screen readers and magnifiers), hearing impairments (using visual alerts and captions), and motor impairments (using voice recognition and adaptive keyboards).

What are some examples of assistive technologies that can be integrated with HIPAA compliant email?

Examples include screen readers, voice recognition software, magnification software, and special keyboards.