Abstract

BackgroundThe ownership of patient information in the context of big data is a relatively new problem, which is not yet fully recognized by the medical academic community. The problem is interdisciplinary, incorporating legal, ethical, medical, and aspects of information and communication technologies, requiring a sophisticated analysis. However, no previous scoping review has mapped existing studies on the subject.ObjectiveThis study aims to map and assess published studies on patient data ownership in the context of big data as viewed by the academic community.MethodsA scoping review was conducted based on the 5-stage framework outlined by Arksey and O’Malley and further developed by Levac, Colquhoun, and O’Brien. The organization and reporting of results of the scoping review were conducted according to PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and its extensions for Scoping Reviews). A systematic and comprehensive search of 4 scientific information databases, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Springer, was performed for studies published between January 2000 and October 2019. Two authors independently assessed the eligibility of the studies and the extracted data.ResultsThe review included 32 eligible articles authored by academicians that correspond to 3 focus areas: problem (ownership), area (health care), and context (big data). Five major aspects were studied: the scientific area of publications, aspects and academicians’ perception of ownership in the context of big data, proposed solutions, and practical applications for data ownership issues in the context of big data. The aspects in which publications consider ownership of medical data are not clearly distinguished but can be summarized as ethical, legal, political, and managerial. The ownership of patient data is perceived primarily as a challenge fundamental to conducting medical research, including data sales and sharing, and to a lesser degree as a means of control, problem, threat, and opportunity also in view of medical research. Although numerous solutions falling into 3 categories, technology, law, and policy, were proposed, only 3 real applications were discussed.ConclusionsThe issue of ownership of patient information in the context of big data is poorly researched; it is not addressed consistently and in its integrity, and there is no consensus on policy decisions and the necessary legal regulations. Future research should investigate the issue of ownership as a core research question and not as a minor fragment among other topics. More research is needed to increase the body of knowledge regarding the development of adequate policies and relevant legal frameworks in compliance with ethical standards. The combined efforts of multidisciplinary academic teams are needed to overcome existing gaps in the perception of ownership, the aspects of ownership, and the possible solutions to patient data ownership issues in the reality of big data.

Highlights

  • BackgroundAt present, global health systems are undergoing a fundamental change

  • The review included 32 eligible articles authored by academicians that correspond to 3 focus areas: problem, area, and context

  • The issue of ownership of patient information in the context of big data is poorly researched; it is not addressed consistently and in its integrity, and there is no consensus on policy decisions and the necessary legal regulations

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Summary

Introduction

BackgroundAt present, global health systems are undergoing a fundamental change. We have reached the stage of a major transition to ways in which we can improve the generation of and access unimaginable amounts of information. Personal data, which some call the “21st Century New Oil” [1] or “the new currency,” [2], are generated at an extremely high rate owing to the achievements of modern information and communication technologies (ICTs). In this sense, it is important to address some of the problematic issues directly affecting medical information: Who owns patient information or who would have the fairest claim? The ownership of patient information in the context of big data is a relatively new problem, which is not yet fully recognized by the medical academic community. No previous scoping review has mapped existing studies on the subject

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