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HIPAA Quick Reference Guide For Employees

We have been contacted by a high school/college student that wants to observe a physician to better understand what it's like to be a doctor.  Can we host them?

Yes, under certain conditions.  The HIPAA Program Office reviews and approves these kinds of requests with respect to compliance with patient privacy and confidentiality policies.  The requests may be made verbally to the HIPAA Program Office, but needs to meet the following guidelines:

• Pre-professionals must be enrolled in an educational institution that has a formal observation/shadowing program;
• The pre-professional must have a Medical Center sponsoring provider;
• The sponsor must submit to the HIPAA Program Office materials about the originating institution's program.
  

My neighbor's son is a high school student and he is interested in a career in healthcare.  Can I arrange to have him come to the office with me so I can take him on a tour of our facilities?

Generally speaking, such activities are limited to high school students enrolled in a school that is a participant in the University of Chicago's The Best of The Best program which was created to educate, encourage, and empower students by introducing them to various career opportunities in healthcare.  Students wanting more information about The Best of The Best program can visit the hospital website or they can have their school representative contact:

If the student's school does not qualify to participate in the program, the student:

• Must be in an educational institution that has a formal observation/shadowing program;
• Must have a Medical Center sponsoring provider;
• The sponsor must submit to the HIPAA Program Office materials about the originating institution's program.

HIPAA Program Office
The University of Chicago Medical Center | 5841 South Maryland Avenue | Chicago, IL 60637
HPOwebmaster@bsd.uchicago.edu