Exploring Privacy and Security Concerns in Sri Lankan Telemedicine Systems: A Patient-Centric Self-Assessment

Abstract

Due to rapid technological advancements, the field of telemedicine has flourished and gained widespread acceptance within the community. While telemedicine initiatives were introduced several decades ago, they struggled to gain prominence due to the prevailing availability of traditional healthcare facilities and a lack of mental preparedness for embracing digital health solutions. However, the recent years, particularly amid the COVID-19 pandemic, have witnessed resurgence in telemedicine practices, as they emerged as the sole dependable option for medical care. In an era where individuals are intricately intertwined with technology, especially when it comes to sensitive health-related information, it becomes imperative to possess a foundational understanding of security vulnerabilities and strategies for mitigating associated risks. Consequently, it becomes essential to undertake a comprehensive investigation focused on recognizing the privacy and security concerns inherent in Sri Lankan Telemedicine Systems. In pursuit of this objective, we have meticulously formulated a comprehensive questionnaire encompassing various facets of telemedicine practices. In order to ensure the credibility and applicability of our findings, our study enlisted real-world users of telemedicine applications as the sample population. Following an exhaustive phase of data collection, we subjected the gathered information to rigorous analysis, culminating in essential insights. These insights serve as a pivotal privacy and security guide for all users of telemedicine applications, offering them direction to enhance their practices, thereby fostering a healthcare service that is both secure and dependable.