This comparative study examines the effectiveness of Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) alone versus its integration with digital watermarking in enhancing data security within healthcare systems. RBAC is employed widely to regulate access based on user roles, while digital watermarking adds an additional layer of security by embedding imperceptible markers for data integrity verification. The study evaluates security incidents, operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and user satisfaction across two groups: healthcare systems using RBAC alone (Group A) and those integrating RBAC with digital watermarking (Group B). Findings indicate that Group B exhibits reduced unauthorized access and enhanced detection of tampering attempts compared to Group A. Group B also demonstrates improved compliance with healthcare regulations and maintains operational efficiency despite minimal processing overhead from watermarking. User feedback suggests initial adaptation to digital watermarking but highlights perceived security benefits and trust in data integrity. This study underscores the value of integrating RBAC with digital watermarking to bolster data security in healthcare settings, offering insights into optimizing security strategies for sensitive healthcare.