title: VoIP for Telerehabilitation: A Pilot Usability Study for HIPAA Compliance.
abstract: Consumer-based, free Voice and video over the Internet Protocol (VoIP) software systems such as Skype and others are used by health care providers to deliver telerehabilitation and other health-related services to clients. Privacy and security applications as well as HIPAA compliance within these protocols have been questioned by practitioners, health information managers, and other healthcare entities. This pilot usability study examined whether four respondents who used the top three, free consumer-based, VoIP software systems perceived these VoIP technologies to be private, secure, and HIPAA compliant; most did not. While the pilot study limitations include the number of respondents and systems assessed, the protocol can be applied to future research and replicated for instructional purposes. Recommendations are provided for VoIP companies, providers, and clients/consumers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Information Management, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.
authors.forename: Valerie R
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Watzlaf
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Information Management, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.
authors.forename: Briana
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ondich
keywords: HIPAA; Voice over the Internet Protocol (VoIP); telerehabilitation