How to use HIPAA compliant email to promote socioeconomic inclusion

Challenges beyond mental health disorders can stand in the way of effective treatment. Mental healthcare systems, especially providers, need to consider their patients' unique socioeconomic barriers and understand how these hurdles may affect treatment outcomes. 

Socioeconomic considerations in mental healthcare 

Socioeconomic status refers to an individual or group's position in society as determined by income level, education, occupation, and at times living conditions. The status shapes the level of access to resources in critical areas like mental healthcare. People from lower socioeconomic backgrounds may experience barriers to mental healthcare due to limited financial resources. 

These barriers might take the form of a lack of nearby providers and less flexible job schedules which prevents regular appointments required for most psychotherapy treatment plans. Another factor is discussed in a 2018 Society and Mental Health study, “Exposure to everyday discrimination and residential segregation may predispose members of racial/ethnic minority groups to attribute symptoms of psychological distress to these experiences and situations and not to an underlying mental disorder.” 

Related: Using email and text messaging in health advocacy

Using the right language to avoid biases 

When discussing socioeconomic status there are certain words that have the power to shape perceptions. Language that unintentionally assigns blame or deficiency can reinforce harmful stereotypes by ignoring the border societal and structural factors influencing people’s lives. American Psychological Association provides an alternative, “Instead, use specific, person-first language such as “mothers who receive TANF benefits” rather than “welfare mothers” (“TANF” stands for “Temporary Assistance for Needy Families” and is the proper term for the current welfare program in the United States).”

Specific examples of more careful language include: 

1. Income and housing status: Instead of ‘the poor’ or ‘the homeless’ substitutions like ‘people whose incomes are below the federal poverty threshold’ or ‘people experiencing homelessness’.
2. Educational attainment: Replace terms like ‘high school dropouts’ with ‘people without a high school diploma or equivalent’, or discuss an ‘opportunity gap’ rather than an ‘achievement gap’.
3. Government assistance: Rather than ‘welfare mothers’ use ‘mothers who receive TANF benefits’. 
4. Legal status: Instead of ‘illegal immigrants’, use ‘individuals who are undocumented’ or ‘DACA students’. 

HIPAA compliant email and the promotion of inclusive mental health practices 

Inclusive mental healthcare considers the unique needs of each patient, and email allows providers to reach patients in diverse socioeconomic circumstances. An example of this is the way in which email can make mental health support available to clients who may not have the flexibility to attend frequent appointments due to work or family obligations. 

HIPAA compliant email platforms like Paubox strengthen this inclusivity by giving mental health practitioners a secure method of sharing patient information during interactions allowing for more detailed discussions through email. This creates a more well-rounded approach to mental healthcare that accounts for the needs of all patients regardless of status. 

FAQs

What is the Privacy Rule? 

It protects people’s medical records and personal health information

Do psychiatrists need consent to discuss treatment with patients? 

Psychiatrists generally need patient's consent to discuss treatment, especially when sharing information with others outside the healthcare team. 

What are appropriate email safeguards for HIPAA compliance? 

Encryption, secure access controls, and regular monitoring of PHI.