This Privacy Policy & Data Protection Notice ("Privacy Policy") describes how Dr. Shailesh Shrikhande and the authorised clinical, administrative, and technical personnel responsible for the operation of shaileshshrikhande.org ("we", "our", or "us") collect, use, store, disclose, and otherwise process Personal Information obtained through this Website.
This Privacy Policy has been prepared having regard to the provisions of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (India) ("DPDP Act"), together with applicable professional, ethical, and legal obligations governing the handling of Personal Information and Health Information. It is intended to explain our information handling practices in a transparent manner and to support compliance with applicable privacy and data protection requirements.
Protecting the privacy and confidentiality of patients and visitors is a fundamental part of our professional and ethical responsibilities. We recognise that information relating to an individual’s health is particularly sensitive and are committed to handling such information responsibly, transparently, and in accordance with applicable law and accepted standards of medical confidentiality.
This Website is intended to provide educational information relating to cancer care and surgical oncology, facilitate communication with patients, caregivers, referring doctors and other healthcare professionals, and enable users to request appointments or submit information for clinical consideration where appropriate.
This Website is not intended to provide emergency medical care. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, you should immediately contact your local emergency medical services or visit the nearest hospital.
Submission of information through this Website, including appointment requests or medical records, does not by itself establish a doctor-patient relationship, guarantee an appointment, or constitute medical advice or treatment.
By accessing or using this Website, or by voluntarily submitting Personal Information through it, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.
1. INTRODUCTION
Welcome to shaileshshrikhande.org, the official professional website of Dr. Shailesh Shrikhande.
The purpose of this Privacy Policy is to explain, in a clear and transparent manner, how information provided through this Website is handled.
We understand that visitors to this Website may include patients, family members, caregivers, referring doctors, healthcare professionals, researchers, journalists, students, and members of the general public. Different users may interact with different features of the Website, and consequently different categories of information may be collected depending upon the nature of those interactions.
This Privacy Policy has therefore been drafted to apply broadly to all individuals who access or use the Website while recognising that certain provisions are relevant only where Personal Information or Health Information is voluntarily submitted.
Nothing contained in this Privacy Policy is intended to limit or modify any duties of professional confidentiality owed by medical practitioners under applicable law or professional ethical standards.
2. SCOPE OF THIS PRIVACY POLICY
This Privacy Policy applies to information collected through shaileshshrikhande.org, including information submitted through:
- appointment request forms;
- contact forms;
- secure electronic forms used for submission of medical information;
- email communications initiated through the Website;
- educational resources and interactive features;
- patient testimonials published with consent;
- embedded media and external services integrated into the Website; and
- other digital communication features that may be introduced from time to time.
This Privacy Policy applies whether you access the Website using a computer, mobile phone, tablet or any other compatible device.
It does not apply to information collected by third-party websites that may be linked from this Website. Those websites operate independently and are governed by their own privacy policies and terms of use.
3. DEFINITIONS
For the purposes of this Privacy Policy:
"Personal Information" means any information that identifies or can reasonably identify an individual, whether directly or indirectly.
Depending upon the circumstances, Personal Information may include your name, postal address, email address, telephone number, age, gender, city of residence, information contained in correspondence with us, appointment requests, or other information voluntarily provided through the Website.
"Health Information" means Personal Information relating to an individual’s physical or mental health, medical history, diagnosis, symptoms, investigations, pathology reports, imaging studies, treatment records, medications, surgical history, or other clinical information voluntarily submitted through the Website.
For the purposes of this Privacy Policy, Health Information is treated as a particularly sensitive category of Personal Information and is handled with an appropriate degree of care and confidentiality.
"Processing" includes collecting, recording, organising, storing, reviewing, consulting, using, transmitting, sharing, retaining, updating, deleting, or otherwise handling information by electronic or other means.
"Website" means shaileshshrikhande.org, together with its webpages, forms, educational resources, and associated digital services.
4. OUR PRIVACY PRINCIPLES
Our approach to privacy is guided by the following principles:
Compliance with Applicable Law
We endeavour to process Personal Information in accordance with applicable privacy and data protection laws, including the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (India), and continually review our privacy practices to reflect changes in legal requirements, professional standards, and technological developments.
Respect for Patient Confidentiality
We recognise that confidentiality is fundamental to the relationship between healthcare professionals and patients. Wherever Health Information is voluntarily provided through the Website, we endeavour to handle that information with the same respect and discretion expected in a professional healthcare environment.
Transparency
We seek to explain our information handling practices in clear language so that users understand what information is collected, why it is collected, and how it may be used.
Data Minimisation
We aim to collect only the information reasonably necessary to respond to enquiries, coordinate appointments, review voluntarily submitted medical information, improve Website functionality, comply with legal obligations, and operate the Website efficiently.
Security
We implement reasonable administrative, organisational and technical safeguards designed to protect Personal Information against unauthorised access, disclosure, alteration, misuse or loss.
Continuous Improvement
As the Website evolves, we may periodically review and improve our privacy practices to reflect changes in technology, applicable law, professional standards and the services offered through the Website.
5. INFORMATION WE COLLECT
The information collected through this Website depends upon how you choose to interact with it.
We do not require visitors to register or create an account simply to browse publicly available educational content.
However, if you voluntarily contact us, request an appointment, submit medical information, or use other interactive features of the Website, we may collect information including:
Personal Identification Information
This may include your name, age, gender, city or country of residence, telephone number, email address, postal address, or other contact information that you voluntarily provide.
Appointment Information
Where you request an appointment, we may collect information reasonably necessary to schedule, coordinate, or respond to your request, including your preferred consultation details and basic administrative information.
Health Information
Where you choose to submit medical information for clinical consideration, second-opinion requests, or appointment coordination, we may collect information such as:
- medical history;
- current diagnosis;
- pathology reports;
- laboratory investigations;
- imaging reports;
- operative notes;
- discharge summaries;
- prescriptions;
- referral letters;
- other medical records voluntarily submitted by you or your authorised representative.
You should submit only information that is relevant to your enquiry.
Communications
We may retain copies of correspondence exchanged through the Website, including emails, contact forms, appointment enquiries, and other communications, to enable us to respond appropriately and maintain an accurate record of interactions.
6. APPOINTMENT REQUESTS
The Website may enable prospective patients, existing patients, caregivers, or referring healthcare professionals to submit requests for appointments or make enquiries regarding consultations.
Information submitted through an appointment request is used solely for legitimate administrative and clinical coordination purposes, including:
- reviewing the nature of the enquiry;
- determining the appropriate method of response;
- coordinating consultation schedules;
- requesting additional information where necessary;
- communicating with the individual submitting the request or their authorised representative.
Submission of an appointment request does not:
- confirm that an appointment has been scheduled;
- guarantee that a consultation will be offered;
- create a doctor–patient relationship;
- constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Additional information may be requested where reasonably necessary to understand the nature of the enquiry or facilitate appropriate scheduling.
7. HEALTH INFORMATION SUBMITTED THROUGH THE WEBSITE
Certain areas of the Website may allow users to voluntarily submit Health Information in support of an appointment request, request for clinical review, second opinion, or other healthcare-related enquiry.
Health Information submitted through the Website may include, where voluntarily provided:
- medical history;
- current diagnosis;
- pathology reports;
- imaging reports;
- laboratory investigations;
- operative notes;
- discharge summaries;
- referral letters;
- prescriptions;
- treatment summaries;
- other supporting clinical documentation.
Users should submit only information that is reasonably relevant to their enquiry.
Where information relates to another individual, the person submitting the information represents that they are authorised to do so, whether as the patient, parent, legal guardian, caregiver, or another authorised representative.
While reasonable measures are implemented to safeguard information transmitted through the Website, users should avoid submitting information that is not relevant to the intended purpose.
Submission of Health Information does not guarantee that the information will be reviewed immediately or that medical advice will be provided through the Website.
8. CONSENT TO COLLECTION AND PROCESSING
By voluntarily providing Personal Information or Health Information through this Website, you consent to our collection, use, storage, review, and other processing of that information for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy and as otherwise permitted or required by applicable law.
Where you provide information relating to another individual, you confirm that you have the necessary authority or consent to do so.
You are under no obligation to provide Personal Information through this Website. However, choosing not to provide certain information may limit our ability to respond to your enquiry, coordinate an appointment, or consider information voluntarily submitted for clinical purposes.
Where permitted by applicable law, you may withdraw your consent for future processing of Personal Information by contacting us using the details provided in this Privacy Policy. Withdrawal of consent will not affect processing that has already taken place before the withdrawal request was received, nor will it affect processing that is otherwise authorised or required by law.
9. HOW WE USE YOUR INFORMATION
Personal Information and Health Information are used only for legitimate purposes connected with the operation of the Website and the professional activities it supports.
Depending upon the circumstances, information may be used to:
- respond to enquiries submitted through the Website;
- communicate with patients, caregivers, or referring healthcare professionals;
- coordinate appointments and related administrative activities;
- review medical information voluntarily submitted for clinical consideration;
- provide information requested by users;
- improve the functionality, accessibility, and performance of the Website;
- maintain the security and integrity of the Website and its digital services;
- investigate technical issues, misuse, or security incidents;
- comply with applicable legal, regulatory, ethical, or professional obligations; and
- protect the rights, safety, and legitimate interests of patients, visitors, healthcare professionals, and the Website.
We do not sell Personal Information or Health Information to third parties, nor do we disclose such information for unrelated commercial marketing purposes.
10. SECURE ONLINE FORMS
The Website may use secure electronic forms to facilitate communication with patients, caregivers, and referring healthcare professionals.
These forms may be used to collect information relating to:
- appointment requests;
- contact enquiries;
- medical history;
- supporting medical records;
- pathology reports;
- imaging reports;
- other information voluntarily submitted in connection with a healthcare-related enquiry.
Where third-party technology providers are used to facilitate secure electronic forms or data transmission, such providers are selected with reasonable care and are expected to maintain appropriate security measures for the services they provide.
Users should understand that no internet-based method of transmitting information can be guaranteed to be completely secure. Accordingly, while we take reasonable precautions to protect information submitted through the Website, absolute security cannot be guaranteed.
11. PROFESSIONAL CONFIDENTIALITY
Respect for patient confidentiality is a fundamental professional obligation.
Personal Information and Health Information submitted through this Website are handled with appropriate regard for medical confidentiality and are accessed only by individuals who reasonably require such access in connection with clinical review, appointment coordination, administrative support, technical maintenance, legal compliance, or other legitimate operational purposes.
Individuals who may have authorised access to such information include:
- Dr. Shailesh Shrikhande;
- authorised clinical personnel;
- authorised administrative staff;
- authorised technical personnel responsible for maintaining the Website or its supporting systems;
- trusted professional service providers engaged to support the operation of the Website, where access is reasonably necessary and subject to appropriate confidentiality obligations.
Access to information is limited to the extent reasonably necessary for the relevant purpose.
12. DISCLOSURE AND SHARING OF INFORMATION
We recognise that Personal Information and Health Information are entrusted to us in confidence.
Accordingly, we do not sell, lease, trade, or otherwise disclose such information except where disclosure is reasonably necessary for legitimate purposes or required by applicable law.
Depending upon the circumstances, information may be shared with:
- authorised clinical personnel assisting in the review of medical information;
- authorised administrative personnel involved in appointment coordination or patient communication;
- trusted technology service providers supporting the secure operation of the Website;
- professional advisers, including legal, accounting, insurance, or compliance advisers where reasonably necessary;
- governmental, regulatory, judicial, or law enforcement authorities where disclosure is required or authorised by applicable law.
Where third-party service providers process information on our behalf, they are expected to process such information only for authorised purposes and subject to appropriate confidentiality and security obligations.
13. INFORMATION SECURITY
We recognise the importance of protecting Personal Information and Health Information against unauthorised access, alteration, disclosure, misuse, or loss.
Accordingly, we implement reasonable administrative, technical, and organisational safeguards designed to protect information processed through the Website.
Such safeguards may include:
- controlled access to information;
- authentication measures;
- secure hosting environments;
- encryption or secure transmission technologies where appropriate;
- monitoring of Website security;
- periodic review of security practices;
- reasonable measures to prevent unauthorised access.
Despite these safeguards, no website, electronic communication system, internet transmission, or information storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure or immune from cyber threats.
For this reason, while we make reasonable efforts to protect information entrusted to us, we cannot guarantee absolute security of information transmitted over the internet. Users submit information through the Website with an understanding of these inherent limitations.
14. DATA RETENTION
We retain Personal Information and Health Information only for as long as reasonably necessary to fulfil the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, to respond to enquiries, coordinate appointments, maintain appropriate records, comply with applicable legal or regulatory requirements, or protect our legitimate interests.
The length of time for which information is retained may vary depending on:
- the nature of the information submitted;
- the purpose for which it was collected;
- applicable legal, regulatory, or professional record-keeping requirements;
- ongoing administrative or clinical needs; and
- the resolution of any legal, regulatory, or security-related matters.
When information is no longer required for these purposes, we take reasonable steps to securely delete, anonymise, archive, or otherwise dispose of it in accordance with applicable law and accepted information management practices.
15. COOKIES AND SIMILAR TECHNOLOGIES
The Website may use cookies and similar technologies to enhance functionality, improve user experience, understand how visitors interact with the Website, and support the secure operation of online services.
Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. They may be used to remember preferences, maintain session information, improve website performance, and generate aggregated usage statistics.
The Website may use:
- essential cookies required for core website functionality;
- performance and analytics cookies that help us understand how the Website is used;
- preference cookies that remember user settings; and
- security-related technologies that assist in protecting the Website against misuse or unauthorised activity.
Most internet browsers allow users to manage or disable cookies through browser settings. Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect the availability or functionality of some Website features.
16. WEBSITE ANALYTICS
To better understand how visitors use the Website and to improve its content and functionality, we may use website analytics services.
Analytics tools may collect information such as:
- browser type;
- device type;
- operating system;
- approximate geographic location;
- pages viewed;
- referring websites;
- date and time of access;
- duration of visits; and
- general patterns of Website usage.
Where practicable, analytics information is used in an aggregated or de-identified form and is not intended to identify individual visitors.
Analytics information is used solely for legitimate purposes such as improving educational content, enhancing website performance, identifying technical issues, and improving user experience.
17. EMBEDDED MEDIA AND THIRD-PARTY CONTENT
The Website may include embedded videos, presentations, publications, maps, social media content, or links to third-party websites and online services.
Interaction with such content may result in information being collected directly by the relevant third-party provider in accordance with that provider’s own privacy practices.
We do not control the privacy policies, security practices, or information handling procedures of third-party websites or services.
Users are encouraged to review the privacy policies of external websites before providing Personal Information or interacting with their content.
The inclusion of links or embedded content does not constitute an endorsement of any third-party organisation, product, or service.
18. PATIENT TESTIMONIALS AND SUCCESS STORIES
The Website may, from time to time, publish patient testimonials, experiences, photographs, videos, or other patient stories intended to educate, inspire, or inform visitors.
Such material will be published only with the appropriate consent of the individual concerned or their legally authorised representative.
Individuals who have provided consent may subsequently request that their testimonial be removed from future publication by contacting us using the contact details provided in this Privacy Policy. We will consider such requests in good faith and make reasonable efforts to remove the material within a reasonable period, subject to legal, technical, or archival limitations.
Testimonials reflect the personal experiences of individual patients and should not be interpreted as guarantees or predictions of similar clinical outcomes for others. Every patient’s medical condition, treatment plan, and outcome are unique.
19. YOUR PRIVACY RIGHTS
Subject to applicable law, individuals may have certain rights regarding their Personal Information.
Depending upon the circumstances and applicable legal requirements, you may request to:
- access Personal Information that you have provided through the Website;
- request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information;
- update information previously submitted;
- withdraw consent for future processing where consent forms the basis of processing;
- request deletion of information where retention is no longer required or otherwise permitted by law;
- enquire about the manner in which your Personal Information has been handled.
To protect patient confidentiality and prevent unauthorised disclosure, we may request reasonable information to verify the identity or authority of the person making such a request before responding.
Certain requests may be declined or limited where retention or processing is required by applicable law, professional obligations, judicial proceedings, regulatory requirements, or the protection of legal rights.
20. CHILDREN’S PRIVACY
This Website is intended primarily for adults seeking information relating to healthcare services.
Information relating to a child or minor should be submitted only by a parent, legal guardian, or another person authorised to act on the child’s behalf.
Where we become aware that information relating to a minor has been submitted without appropriate authority, we may take reasonable steps to restrict access to or remove such information where appropriate.
21. INTERNATIONAL VISITORS
The Website may be accessed by visitors located outside India.
By voluntarily submitting Personal Information through the Website, international visitors acknowledge that their information may be processed or stored in India or in other jurisdictions where authorised technology service providers operate.
We endeavour to ensure that Personal Information continues to be handled in accordance with the principles described in this Privacy Policy, regardless of the location from which the Website is accessed.
22. COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAW
We are committed to protecting the privacy of individuals whose Personal Information is processed through this Website and to handling such information responsibly, fairly, and transparently.
This Privacy Policy has been prepared having regard to the provisions of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (India) ("DPDP Act") and reflects our commitment to adopting privacy practices that are consistent with the principles embodied in that legislation, including lawful processing, purpose limitation, data minimisation, reasonable security safeguards, transparency, and accountability.
Where applicable, we endeavour to process Personal Information in accordance with the requirements of the DPDP Act and any other applicable laws, regulations, or professional obligations governing the handling of Personal Information and Health Information.
Nothing in this Privacy Policy shall be construed as limiting any rights available to individuals under applicable law or any legal obligations imposed upon us by applicable legislation. In the event of any inconsistency between this Privacy Policy and applicable law, the applicable law shall prevail to the extent of such inconsistency.
23. CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY
Technology, legal requirements, and the services offered through this Website may change over time.
Accordingly, we may revise this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in applicable law, professional standards, operational practices, Website functionality, or the manner in which Personal Information is handled.
The revised version will be published on this Website together with an updated Effective Date.
We encourage visitors to review this Privacy Policy periodically so that they remain informed about our current privacy practices.
24. CONTACT US
Questions regarding this Privacy Policy or the handling of Personal Information may be directed to:
Privacy Contact
Dr. Shailesh Shrikhande
Website Administration
shaileshshrikhande.org
Email: admin@visualwebmedia.com
Reasonable efforts will be made to respond to privacy-related enquiries within an appropriate timeframe.
25. FINAL STATEMENT
We value the confidence that patients, caregivers, referring healthcare professionals, and other visitors place in us when they use this Website or share Personal Information.
Protecting privacy is an important part of our commitment to ethical medical practice, professional integrity, and respectful patient care. We continually review our privacy practices to support responsible information management and to maintain a secure and trustworthy online environment.
Thank you for visiting shaileshshrikhande.org.