The value of healthcare data in ophthalmology

The healthcare system creates a vast amount of data that are utilized by a wide variety of entities for a multitude of purposes. Physicians have traditionally been unable to control who has access to their data or how their data are used. The widespread adoption of the Electronic Health Record (EHR) by physicians will create a larger and more valuable healthcare data market with broad implications for the healthcare system. It is, therefore, important for physicians to understand the evolving healthcare data market and the importance of maintaining ownership of and control over their electronic health data.

Several entities, including private health insurance companies, federal payers, medical societies, and pharmaceutical companies are increasingly utilizing healthcare data to drive reimbursement policies and commercial initiatives.

Given the critical importance that EHR data will play in multiple aspects of the healthcare industry, it is in physicians' interest to maintain ownership and control of the healthcare data that they generate. It would be prudent for physicians to exercise caution before relinquishing data rights to entities that may sell the data to payers or other customers with whom physicians' interests may not be aligned.