title: Qualitative study of patient consent for health information exchange in an HIV clinic.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Health information exchange (HIE) is the secure, electronic transfer and/or accessibility of clinical data among healthcare providers. In the United States (US), the consent process for participation varies state to state. New York State (NYS) mandates written patient consent. The purpose of this study was to examine workflow and perceptions related to obtaining HIE consent in an HIV clinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used contextual inquiry to observe the HIE consent-related workflow of four registration clerks for a total of 4 hours on two weekdays and subsequently created a flow chart and sequence model diagram. Clerks were also interviewed and the resulting narrative data were coded into themes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Observational and interview data suggested that patient privacy/confidentiality/trust, high volume workflow, and multiple competing demands affect the patient HIE consent process.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Additional qualitative data needs to be gathered from the perspectives of patients and clinicians about the HIE consent process.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: S Raquel
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bakken
mesh_terms: D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000458:organization & administration; D016494:Computer Security; D003219:Confidentiality; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D066275:Health Information Exchange; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D009518:New York; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010343:Patient Admission; D010358:Patient Participation; D057188:Workflow; D016526:Workload