The use of health data is essential for modern medicine, as it promotes understanding of diseases and improves patient care. However, data protection regulations often complicate the work of researchers. The German Society for Internal Medicine (DGIM) and the Hessian Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information (HBDI) have now published a guideline that is intended to support legally compliant and patient-oriented research projects.

Health data is considered particularly worthy of protection under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which entails strict legal and technical requirements. Unclear regulations and different interpretations by data protection authorities often lead to delays in research. The guide offers practical solutions by using real examples from internal medicine to show how data protection principles can be implemented, consents can be designed and documentation obligations can be met.

One focus is on data transfer in multicenter projects. The guide explains how contractual regulations, data protection concepts and technical measures such as pseudonymisation or federated data models enable secure cooperation. As an ongoing document, the guide is regularly supplemented with new case studies. Researchers can submit questions that will be included in future versions.

The aim is to strengthen medical research in Germany that takes into account both patient welfare and personal rights. The guide is intended to serve as a guide to reconcile data protection and research.

Read more:

DGIM – German Society for Internal Medicine: Data protection project

Editor: X-Press Journalistenbüro GbR

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