Exploring data security risks associated with trauma medical data within hospitals in China: a qualitative study

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Informatics
• Medical Data Security
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Trauma medical data is critical for patient care and research.
• Ensuring the security of sensitive medical data is paramount in healthcare settings.
• China's healthcare system faces unique challenges in managing and securing medical data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate data security risks associated with trauma medical data in Chinese hospitals.
• To identify underlying factors contributing to these risks.
• To gather stakeholder suggestions for improving data security.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study utilizing thematic analysis.
• Interviews conducted with 27 hospital personnel (department heads and doctors).
• Study conducted across 21 tertiary hospitals in 12 Chinese provinces.

Main Results:

• Identified risks include inadequate data management by physicians, absence of data administrators and systems, and weak database security.
• Key suggestions involve training physicians, establishing data administrators and management systems, and enhancing security measures.
• Lack of dedicated personnel and robust systems are significant contributors to data security vulnerabilities.

Conclusions:

• Addressing trauma medical data security risks is crucial for advancing healthcare data governance in China.
• The findings provide a foundation for mitigating current risks and improving trauma data management capacity.
• Implementing proposed suggestions can enhance the overall security and management of trauma medical data.