Why is patient privacy a genuine concern when using electronic health record systems?

Patient privacy is a genuine concern in electronic health record (EHR) systems due to the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches. Sensitive health information can be vulnerable to hacking, leading to potential identity theft or misuse of personal data. Additionally, improper sharing of information among healthcare providers without patient consent can undermine trust and violate regulations like HIPAA. Ensuring robust security measures and compliance is essential to protect patient confidentiality and maintain the integrity of healthcare systems.