PRIVACY POLICY
The Stress Management and High Performance Clinic is committed to respecting and carefully protecting your privacy and the confidentiality of your personal information. Any information that identifies an individual is considered personal information. This includes name, address, phone number, etc.
This privacy policy outlines the practices of the Stress Management and High Performance Clinic to meet this commitment.
Privacy Principles of the Stress Management and High Performance Clinic
The following principles guide the Stress Management and High Performance Clinic in the daily administration, management and evaluation of all personal information under its care.
Accountability
At the Stress Management and High Performance Clinic, Kathy Somers is responsible for all personal information collected.
This includes :
- developing, implementing, and monitoring personal information policies and practices at the Stress Management and High Performance Clinic
- ensuring that a privacy protection clause is included in all contracts with individuals and organizations hired to provide services to the Stress Management and High Performance Clinic
- maintaining compliance with the University of Guelph Protection of Privacy and Access to Information Guidelines and relevant legislation
Purpose of Collecting Personal Information
The Stress Management and High Performance Clinic gets personal information from paper, phone and e-mail registration, intake questionnaires, training records, and progress/evaluation questionnaires of program participants. Occasionally the Stress Management and High Performance Clinic receives personal information from a third party (such as a doctor or a parent of an individual under 18 years of age) and the privacy of this information is also secure and protected.
Personal information collected includes :
- name, address, phone number, e-mail address
- personal needs and goals in the program
- previous steps taken toward these goals
- age, occupation, and health status
- personality characteristics
- training strategies and success in the program
- comments, opinions, and evaluation of helpfulness of the program
Personal information is collected for the purposes of :
- processing program fees and issuing receipts
- using name and program date(s) to invoice third parties for program costs (when applicable)
- contacting participants to respond to questions, verify information, maintain communication, or notify them of program/appointment changes or additional information/services which may be of interest
- understanding participant's goals in order to determine suitability of programs
- tailoring programs for the individual to promote their progress
- gaining ideas and feedback on new and continuing programs or services
- pooling the information into group data used for educational purposes such as evaluating the program, planning program changes, establishing Canadian norms, and better matching techniques to individuals. Individual participants are never identified in this group data.
- meeting professional standards and guidelines
Consent
The Stress Management and High Performance Clinic collects personal information with the full knowledge and consent of participants. Individuals sign a consent form (agreement to participate) acknowledging they understand the purposes of the program and consenting to the use of personal information for the purposes outlined above. The full privacy policy is available to be seen/reviewed when personal information is being collected. Participants may refuse to provide personal information, and participants may withdraw their consent at any time, however this may limit the potential and possibilities of having a program tailored to them.
Limiting Collection
The collection of personal information is limited to collecting only information that is deemed necessary for the purposes intended.
Limits of Use, Disclosure, and Retention of Personal Information
The Stress Management and High Performance Clinic uses personal information only for the purposes it is intended, unless consent is given by the individual for their information to be used otherwise.
Personal information will not be disclosed to anyone without the express request of that individual to disclose their information, except as required by law.
Personal information will be retained only as long as needed for the purposes intended, then it is destroyed in a secure manner according to predetermined retention policy.
Accuracy
The personal information obtained will be as accurate, complete, and up-to-date as necessary for the purposes for which it will be used.
Safeguards
Using appropriate security measures and safeguards, the Stress Management and High Performance Clinic secures personal information against unauthorized access, use, disclosure, copying, or modification. This includes limiting use to appropriate and authorized individuals, locking paper/computer files, using/changing computer and telephone passwords, and protecting against loss due to theft, fire or human error. When the information is no longer required, it is destroyed in a secure manner to prevent unauthorized access.
Openness
Participants are informed of the policy and practices relating to the management of personal information.
Individual Access
Upon written request, individuals may review personal information pertaining to them. The information may normally be reviewed as soon as possible after receipt of the request. Individuals may challenge the accuracy and completeness of their information and request that it be amended as appropriate.
Challenging Compliance
To ask questions, voice concerns, or file a complaint about this privacy policy, please contact the Privacy Officer, Kathy Somers, at
Stress Management and High Performance Clinic
Box 7323 U.C.
University of Guelph
GUELPH ON N1G 2W1
or phone 519 824-4120, ext. 52662
or e-mail ksomers@uoguelph.ca
The Stress Management and High Performance Clinic will investigate every complaint and take appropriate action.