Governance Strategies for Safeguarding Protected Health Information (PHI) in Healthcare: A Review on Policies, Practices, and Challenges

Abstract

Purpose & Objective:

The aim of this review is to evaluate the effectiveness of key international and national regulations in protecting PHI. It also investigates the role of internal governance practices—such as risk management, access control, and employee training—in improving compliance and security, and explores the opportunities and challenges presented by emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain.

Methodology:

This review synthesizes evidence from empirical studies, industry reports, and case analyses. Comparative evaluation of regulatory provisions is combined with an assessment of organizational strategies to identify strengths, weaknesses, and gaps in PHI governance and protection.

Outcomes:

Findings indicate that although regulations such as HIPAA, GDPR, DPDPA, and DISHA provide a strong foundation for PHI governance, their effectiveness is hindered by organizational shortcomings. Human error, weak incident response planning, and insufficient staff training remain primary contributors to data breaches. While technologies like AI and blockchain can enhance PHI security, they introduce new compliance and integration challenges.

Conclusion:

The review concludes that effective PHI protection requires a balance between regulatory compliance and strong internal governance. Healthcare organizations must adopt proactive measures, including continuous employee education, regular risk modeling, and responsible integration of advanced technologies. Future governance efforts should remain dynamic and adaptive, evolving alongside technological advancements and emerging threats to ensure robust protection of sensitive patient information.