Control and use of health information: a doctor's perspective

The electronic health record offers all advantages of computer based memories. It is accessible over networks, highly structured and allows exchange of information both within the institution and across its borders. However, it has potential disadvantages among which a great risk for confidentiality, integrity and availability of information about identifiable patients exists. The present paper discusses advantages and disadvantages of the electronic health record as well as methods in order to control and use appropriately identifiable patient data. Personal data protection requires a legislation, a code of conduct, information contracts, an organisation under the responsibility of a physician, technical tools for health security, risk analysis methods, standards for development and implementation of computer systems as well as training and teaching sessions.