Health care information: gold mine or mine field? Collection, protection and utilization in Denmark’s primary health care system

Justin C Matus

doi:10.5617/njhe.5978

Abstract

Abstract. The purpose of this article is to present an overview of the status of the Danish Health Care system’s internal debate about the role of health care information. On the one hand, health information, when used appropriately can be a gold mine of information to help patients and in the development of policies and allocation of resources. On the other hand, concerns about patient privacy, unmasking of poor quality, monitoring, reduced autonomy and political agendas give rise to suspicion and fear, i.e., the mine field. An overview of the Danish health care system is presented with an emphasis on the perceived concerns and agendas of the various stakeholders. The perceived risks and benefits of collecting, protecting and utilizing health information is presented. The article concludes with a recommendation for greater cooperation among the various stakeholders. Published: Online September 2018.

Highlights

For many years Denmark has been held up as the model of an ideal healthcare system in terms of health information
In 2007 Denmark undertook a major reform of its health care system, of which many details are very well explained by Christiansen (2012); Kristensen, T., Olsen, K
The reality is that health information has become a weapon or bargaining chip for any number of stakeholders to either attack or defend the position of one or more of the other parties, driven at least in part by the struggle to control information and control costs

Summary

Introduction

For many years Denmark has been held up as the model of an ideal healthcare system in terms of health information. As in many other prosperous and developed countries the advance and the expense of technology and higher expectations of patients have put pressure on all health care systems for more information and information technology, including Denmark’s. These economic pressures are having several effects in Denmark including a hotly debated discussion about the collection, protection and utilization of health care information; and not patient information, but all aspects of health care information such as costs, productivity and outcomes, especially in the primary care arena.

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Conclusion