The digitization of medical information holds enormous potential for the study and treatment of disease. When combined with modern AI algorithms, the data can be used to uncover new disease mechanisms and to create effective treatments. There is, however, a need for careful security measures to protect this data from unauthorized access and to protect the privacy of patients.
An emerging trend
The digitization of medical information has been a key trend for several decades. In the 1990s, computerized patient records were introduced in the US, allowing large databases to be created. By the mid-2000s, digital images from MRIs and CT scans were added to hospital databases as well. Then, by the late 2000s, digital patient records became the norm. More recently, genomic and proteomic data have become a feature of online medical records.
Digital records offer several advantages over traditional paper-based records. Digitization makes it easier to extract the data when it is needed. An x-ray or ultrasound can be automatically interpreted (or flagged for human review) with high accuracy. Digital records can be accessed from anywhere and can be used to share information with other healthcare organizations. More notably, data mining holds enormous potential when combined with digital records. The data can be used to discover associations between symptoms, diseases, and genes. This is a powerful new tool for researchers who can use it to study disease mechanisms.
In addition, data mining can help establish the efficacy of certain treatments. For example, a large database of patients might include information about their adherence to prescribed treatments. Data mining can be used to identify patterns of non-adherence, which is a key barrier to the effective treatment of many diseases. Data on rare side effects can be obtained more effectively, and interactions between related treatments can be detected automatically.
Privacy and security
As you might expect, the digitization of medical information has been accompanied by concerns about privacy and security. According to surveys conducted in the US, about 30% of the patients surveyed do not trust the security of their medical information.
While there have been some cases where patients have been embarrassed because of the release of medical information to unauthorized parties, the biggest concern is the potential for data breaches and identity theft. To prevent these occurrences, security protocols must be implemented. For example, it is vital that computer systems are not connected to the internet. Only a closed intranet should be used to share data.
It is also important to protect the data itself through secure encryption. For example, it is vital that patient identification numbers are not stored with the data. This has been the case in the US, where the HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) requires that patient identification numbers are not stored in patient files.
A related issue is the storage of genetic information. The US Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) was passed in 2008, and this prohibits the discrimination of individuals on the basis of genetic information. The law also prevents employers and insurance companies from obtaining genetic information on applicants. This is a significant step towards protecting the privacy of individuals’ genetic data.
Conclusion
The digitization of medical information has opened up a range of opportunities for research. Many studies have been conducted that have benefited from the ability to share and analyze large amounts of data. As we have seen, this has been a major factor in the development of personalized medicine.
Despite the potential of digitization, there are still challenges to be addressed, particularly in the area of privacy and security. While GINA is a step in the right direction, it is vital that safeguards are put in place to protect the privacy of individuals’ medical information.