Jeanne Bossi, secretary general of ASIP Santé
Le Mag Article | 12 Apr 2012
LE MAG : Could disclosing personal health data be dangerous?
LE MAG : How can we reconcile data security with new e-health tools?
J. B. : The tools and practices used in healthcare are constantly developing and being modernized. E-health in particular is leading to major changes in the security of personal details. New services such as the electronic health record (DMP) give online access to this confidential information. We therefore need to be able to provide the same levels of security within a constantly changing technological environment. This is where ASIP Santé comes in. Its aim is to state what is required for protection that is effective, safe and appropriate to current medical practice.
We should not forget that even though the technological environment may change, the related regulations remain very strict: any unauthorized access to data is an offence that is punishable by imprisonment or a fine.
Jeanne Bossi : Personal healthcare data can reveal very private aspects of our lives. This is why it must not fall into the wrong hands. Data must not be accessible to your employer, bank, insurance company, or to anyone who could use it fraudulently. It must be accorded maximum protection. Patients alone must decide whether or not to disclose their medical information. This is why there are laws designed to guarantee the confidentiality of this information.
LE MAG : How is this information protected?
J. B. : Protection of personal health data is now clearly defined in legislation. Processing of such data has been monitored for nearly thirty years by the French national data protection council (CNIL). If individuals are informed in advance that their data will be stored on computer, and are informed about their rights, this is a significant guarantee of data safety. In some cases, consent can be sought, which can form an additional layer of protection. The French Public Health Code and Social Security Code also contain provisions for the confidentiality of health data.
J. B. : The tools and practices used in healthcare are constantly developing and being modernized. E-health in particular is leading to major changes in the security of personal details. New services such as the electronic health record (DMP) give online access to this confidential information. We therefore need to be able to provide the same levels of security within a constantly changing technological environment. This is where ASIP Santé comes in. Its aim is to state what is required for protection that is effective, safe and appropriate to current medical practice.
We should not forget that even though the technological environment may change, the related regulations remain very strict: any unauthorized access to data is an offence that is punishable by imprisonment or a fine.