Sharing electronic records: separating out the signals from ethical white noise

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Bioethics
• Information Technology in Healthcare

Background:

• Healthcare system modernization and fragmented service delivery drive the need for shared electronic records.
• Previous ethical discussions on patient data confidentiality are relevant but require contextual adaptation for shared records.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review key ethical and legal issues surrounding shared electronic healthcare records.
• To address public and professional anxieties regarding the use of shared health information.
• To explore the concept of 'function creep' in the context of electronic health records.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of a public discussion involving the RCGP Ethics Committee, Patient Participation Group, and Informatics Group.
• Review of ethical and legal considerations pertinent to shared electronic health records.

Main Results:

• Shared electronic health records are viewed as a potential social necessity.
• Ethical and legal safeguards are proposed to mitigate concerns about data use.
• Confidentiality remains a primary ethical concern, with 'function creep' identified as a significant issue.

Conclusions:

• Shared electronic health records necessitate careful ethical and legal consideration.
• Addressing public and professional concerns through safeguards is vital for adoption.
• Proactive management of 'function creep' is essential for maintaining trust in electronic health records.