What is it about?
This article discusses how new digital tools are being used in family therapy, such as online storage, health tracking apps, and devices that collect health information. While these tools can make it easier to store and share information, they also raise important questions about privacy and security. For example, health data could be shared with companies that do not have strong privacy rules, or it could be used in ways that patients are not aware of. The article explains why it is important for family therapists to stay involved in how these digital tools are developed and used, so that they can protect the privacy of families and maintain trust.
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Why is it important?
What makes this work unique is its focus on the intersection of privacy, data security, and family therapy within the context of rapidly advancing digital health technologies. While much of the conversation around digital health tools tends to center on healthcare providers or tech companies, this editorial highlights the specific challenges faced by marriage and family therapists (MFTs) in navigating these tools. It emphasizes the crucial role therapists play in safeguarding sensitive family health data, which is often overlooked in broader discussions. This work is important because it directly addresses the real-world implications of digital tools on family confidentiality and trust, which are central to effective therapy. By focusing on how family therapists can help shape the use of these technologies, the article empowers practitioners to be proactive in protecting their clients' privacy. This article offers a valuable perspective for therapists who are increasingly integrating digital tools into their practices, but may not fully understand the privacy risks involved. The article also provides a timely and practical discussion of how therapists can take responsibility for data security, which could encourage more professionals to engage in these important conversations and make more informed decisions about the digital tools they use.
Perspectives
I am deeply concerned about the growing intersection of digital technologies and family therapy. While the advancements in digital tools offer exciting possibilities, they also introduce significant risks to privacy and data security—areas that are critical in the therapeutic process. As marriage and family therapists, we hold the responsibility of maintaining our clients' trust and confidentiality, which is increasingly threatened by cloud-based storage, tracking technologies, and the involvement of non-regulated entities in managing sensitive health data. Through this work, I aim to raise awareness of these issues and encourage my fellow therapists to actively engage in the development and regulation of digital health tools. It is essential that we not only adopt these technologies but also ensure they are used in ways that protect the privacy and security of the families we serve. By addressing these concerns, I hope to help create a framework where therapists can confidently navigate the digital age, safeguarding both the well-being of their clients and the integrity of their practice.
Assoc. Prof. Ezra N. S. Lockhart
National University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Privacy and Data Security in Digital Health: Implications for Family Therapy, Contemporary Family Therapy, January 2025, Springer Science + Business Media,
DOI: 10.1007/s10591-024-09731-x.
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