When you visit a hospital, the process is almost ritualistic. A doctor listens intently, jots down notes, checks our vitals, and perhaps recommends tests. Based on the results, they might prescribe medications and schedule a follow-up. Over the years, we accumulate countless such encounters, each a snapshot of our health at a particular moment. But a pressing question emerges: where does all this data go?
In our digital age, one would expect seamless access to these records. Yet, paradoxically, even in advanced healthcare settings, continuity of data remains elusive. Unlike the tangible nature of paper records, which patients can physically carry and maintain, digital records often remain confined within the walls of the institution. Some providers even restrict patients from accessing their own digital records, citing institutional policies.
This fragmentation of health data presents a glaring gap in our healthcare system. I've grown increasingly concerned about this issue: the vision of a truly patient-centric healthcare system where individuals have unbridled access to their health data, irrespective of where or when the care was received. Think of the profound insights and holistic care that could be achieved if a physician could view a patient's comprehensive medical history in its entirety.
The challenge is clear: How can we pivot to a healthcare paradigm where patients not only own their data but can also seamlessly share it, ensuring continuity of care and unlocking deeper health insights?
This is part 1 of a series exploring patient data ownership and the future of healthcare information systems.
