QR Codes Are a Double-Edged Sword for Patient Care

In the pursuit of advancing healthcare services towards a more personalized, relevant, and immediate approach, the integration of automation holds significant promise. A key facet of this transformation lies in enhancing data exchange between healthcare providers and patients, yielding valuable applications like granting patients access to diagnosis information and wellness education materials. Historically, patients have often played passive roles in their healthcare journeys. However, with the advent of QR codes for data collection, patients are increasingly prompted to share personal details to schedule or preregister for appointments. This juncture introduces a heightened vulnerability in the utilization of QR codes, as patients lack the means to ascertain the legitimacy of data collectors. To mitigate the risk of cyber adversaries gaining access to patient data, it is imperative to educate patients about cybersecurity best practices. Equipping patients with these skills can substantially reduce the opportunities for data breaches, safeguarding the confidentiality of their personal information in the evolving landscape of healthcare automation.