Signal for Healthcare: Is it HIPAA Compliant?

Signal is a popular encrypted messaging app that is often thought to be HIPAA compliant. However, there are some important considerations that healthcare organizations need to be aware of before using Signal to communicate protected health information (PHI). HIPAA Compliance Requirements The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) was signed into law in 1996 by President Bill Clinton; it sets standards for the privacy and security of health information. For a messaging app to be HIPAA compliant, it must meet certain technical and administrative requirements. Technical…

What Is An Ally? – Part 3

Followup up on my second post, What Is An Ally: Part 2, I conclude my thoughts on allyship, based on conversations I had at the Association of Social Work Boards 2022 Annual Delegate Assembly. Alies Adopt an Anti-Racism Standard Sometimes, it’s easy for people to identify with one group of people, yet still have biases towards others. In Utah, we have “safe diversity,” that is to say, a culture of accepting people who look different, but hold the same cultural values and mores, so really aren’t different. Such…

Motivational Interviewing – The Secret Ingredients

Motivational Interviewing – The Secret Ingredients I have said before (and say on my front page) that “therapy isn’t rocket science” and I mean it. it isn’t the hardest thing in the world, but it does require some savvy. It takes experience (some lived and some learned), patience, and a little dab of tenacity in order to become a proficient helper. It often also takes a little skill in helping people get motivated to start healing. Unfortunately, as I’ve learned, many students come away from the various…