Dr. David Reist recognizes
the importance of privacy and the sensitivity of personal information.
WHY DO I NEED PERSONAL HEALTH INFORMATION?
In providing psychological services I need to collect personal health information for various reasons including: compiling a history of your health, understanding your needs, and meeting regulatory requirements.
WHAT INFORMATION DO I COLLECT?
I collect information such as, but not limited to: age, identification numbers, income, place of birth, family history, and your current and past physical and emotional health.
HOW DO I COLLECT INFORMATION?
I collect information in the normal course of your assessment and treatment. Information regarding your treatment needs is generally gathered from yourself directly. There may be circumstances in which family members, a legal representative, or other health care providers also provide information to me in order to facilitate your assessment and treatment.
CONSENT
I ask individuals to specifically consent if I collect, use, or disclose their personal and/or health information. Permission may be expressed in writing or be implied and may be given to me verbally, electronically, or through an authorized representative. Individuals may withdraw permission to collect, use, and disclose their personal and/or health information at any time.
USE OF INFORMATION
I use information to provide psychological treatment and services to my clients and to administer client accounting. Where services are paid for by a third party (such as the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, motor vehicle insurers, Criminal Injuries Compensation Boards, or extended health benefit insurers), I may invoice these third parties directly. No information regarding the content of treatment is provided, only your name, identification, dates of treatment, and costs of services.
DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION
Under certain circumstances, I may be required to disclose personal and/or health information. For example:
- If I am concerned that you may seriously harm either yourself, or another person.
- If I am given information that leads me to suspect that a child is being neglected or abused.
- If you report that you have been sexually abused by another health practitioner and you tell me the name of that person.
- If my clinical notes and records are ordered by a judge during a criminal or civil trial.
As a regulated member of the College of Psychologists of Ontario I am required to submit to quality assurance reviews. This may mean that I am interviewed by another psychologist representing the College of Psychologists. Administrative practices are discussed as part of this review and files may be reviewed to ensure proper standards are met for file maintenance. All members of the College of Psychologists are required to keep utmost standards of confidentiality for any files they may review as part of this process.
IS MY INFORMATION SECURE?
I take all reasonable precautions to ensure that your information is kept safe from loss, unauthorized access, modification, or disclosure. Among the steps taken to protect your information are: premise security, restricted file access with all files stored on-site in locked cabinets, and technological safeguards such as computer passwords and security software. Closed files are stored for a period of 10 years after which they are destroyed.
ACCESS TO INFORMATION
You are entitled to view your file upon request and correct any information on file that may be inaccurate.
INQUIRIES
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your information or my policy regarding collection and use of personal and/or health information please feel free to ask me.
If you’re interested in the relevant legislation regarding your privacy rights and psychologists….
As of November 1, 2004, the government of Ontario proclaimed the Health Information Protection Act. This Act gives individuals rights concerning the privacy of their personal information.
Prior to November 1, 2004, the privacy of personal information collected by psychologists was guaranteed by the Regulated Health Professions Act as well as the Psychology Act. As psychologists practicing in the province of Ontario we are required to observe strict ethical guidelines to maintain client privacy. Only by your consent can we share information with another person.
The Regulated Health Professions Act and its Psychology Act only apply to psychologists who practice in the province of Ontario. The Health Protection Act, on the other hand, applies to all health care practitioners and all health care facilities operating in the province of Ontario.