Protecting patient privacy in the digital era: A cross-sectional study among nursing students

¹General County Hospital Našice, Bana Jelačića 10, Našice, 31 500, Croatia
²Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Crkvena 21, Osijek, 31 000, Croatia

³General Hospital Dr. Josip Benčević Slavonski Brod, Andrije Štampara 42, Slavonski Brod, 35 000, Croatia
⁴University of Applied Sciences in Bjelovar, Trg Eugena Kvaternika 4, Bjelovar, 43 000, Croatia

Abstract

Introduction: Protecting patient privacy and confidentiality is a fundamental ethical and professional responsibility in healthcare and has become increasingly important in the era of digitalization. This study aimed to examine nursing students’ attitudes toward patient privacy protection and to assess differences according to sex, age, and year of study.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between April and May 2024 among 176 undergraduate and graduate nursing students at the Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Croatia. Data were collected using an anonymous questionnaire developed for this study. Descriptive statistics and nonparametric tests were used for data analysis.

Results: Most participants reported respecting patient privacy (97.2%), rarely or never searching for patient information on social media (88.9%), not taking photographs with patients (88.1%), not posting patient photographs on social media (96.6%), and frequently or always adhering to ethical principles (98.3%). Female participants demonstrated significantly greater respect for patient privacy
(P = 0.05), communicated more frequently with patients’ family members (P = 0.04), and more often closed patients’ room doors during nursing care or medical procedures (P = 0.04). Male participants reported significantly more frequent unprofessional behaviors, including discussing patients’ diagnoses with friends (P = 0.01), accessing acquaintances’ medical records during breaks (P = 0.002), and commenting on patients’ appearance with colleagues
(P = 0.02). Significant differences according to age and year of study were also observed in several privacy-related behaviors, including social media use and professional conduct.

Conclusion: Nursing students demonstrated a high level of awareness regarding patient privacy and ethical responsibility. However, differences according to sex, age, and year of study suggest the need for continued education on professional ethics, digital professionalism, and responsible use of social media throughout nursing education.