Connected Medical Technology and Cybersecurity Informed Consent: A New Paradigm

Abstract

BackgroundConnected medical technology is increasingly prevalent and offers both a host of new therapeutic potentials and cybersecurity-related considerations. Current practice largely does not include discussions of cybersecurity issues when clinicians obtain informed consent. ObjectiveThis paper aims to raise awareness about cybersecurity considerations for connected medical technology as they relate to informed consent discussions between patients and clinicians. MethodsClinicians, health care cybersecurity researchers, and informed consent experts propose the concept of a cybersecurity informed consent for connected medical technology. ResultsThis viewpoint discusses concepts designed to facilitate further discussion on the need, development, and execution of cybersecurity informed consent. ConclusionsCybersecurity informed consent may be a necessary component of informed consent practices, as connected medical technology proliferates in the health care environment.