CONTROL AND USE OF HEALTH INFORMATION - A DOCTORS PERSPECTIVE

The electronic health record offers all advantages of computer based m emories. It is accessible over networks, highly structured and allows exchange of information both within the institution and across its bor ders. 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 a nd disadvantages of the electronic health record as well as methods in order to control and use appropriately identifiable patient data. Per sonal data protection requires a legislation, a code of conduct, infor mation contracts, an organisation under the responsibility of a physic ian, technical tools for health security, risk analysis methods, stand ards for development and implementation of computer systems as well as training and teaching sessions.