Benefits and weaknesses of health cards used in health information systems

The acceptance-based success of modern health information systems and health networks highly depends on the respective involvement of all relevant partners into the communication and co-operation processes characterising the medical and administrative workflow. Personal information stored in a networking environment guarantee for fast access fulfilling advanced shared care requirements whereas security token like smart cards stand for identification purposes, data protection, privacy protection, access rights, and limited person-based information storage, e.g., for emergency procedures. Linking these means of information provision allows for making use of the benefits of the different technologies without ignoring their existing weaknesses. The presented paper intends to summarise the respective categories of benefits and weaknesses allowing the reader to implement cards in health information systems as well as with the related aspects of awareness, confidence, and acceptance. Concluding this analysis, the preferred way to deal with the challenges of modern healthcare and welfare requirements shall be a well-balanced combination of cards and networks.