How to talk to your doctor about the new ‘internet of things’

This article is part of a Newsweek series about how healthcare providers are using the internet to connect with their patients.

The internet of things will make it easier for healthcare providers to share care and diagnosis, but it will also lead to greater privacy issues, according to the researchers.

“When the internet of devices is widely used, it will open up healthcare providers’ data to a range of third parties that can gain a direct interest in it,” said Dr. Thomas Fuchs, an associate professor of medicine at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, who co-authored the study.

“This will be particularly concerning for patients with mental health conditions, as this data can be used to track them and diagnose them.”

What can you do?1.

Ask your doctor for more information.

Dr. Thomas said that the most common questions doctors ask about healthcare are about diagnosis, treatments, and health-related issues.2.

Ask about the technology and its security.

“It’s important to understand how they’re going to collect your data and use it,” he said.3.

Use the tools available to you to protect yourself.

“Make sure you’re not connecting to a cloud server where they can collect information from you without your permission,” Dr. Fuchs said.4.

Use an identity manager.

“There’s no one solution for all patients,” he added.

“The Internet of Things has a range that spans the medical field,” he continued.

“We need to be vigilant and use best practices.”5.

Know how to navigate the complex world of the internet.

“Doctors have to be aware of the information they are gathering from the patients they treat and to take care to protect that information,” Dr Fuchs added.

“As healthcare providers, we have to keep a close eye on the patient’s privacy.”

More information:1.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, http://www.cdc.gov/healthcare/aia/aiacs.html?id=621&lang=en&src=news2