Using patientidentifiable data for observational research and audit
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Date
2000Author
Al-Shahi, Rustam
Warlow, Charles P
Metadata
Abstract
Across the world rapid changes in the law,
technology, and society are reshaping the way
identifiable information about patients is
handled. In Britain, doctors' longstanding common law
duty of confidentiality to their patients has been
supplemented by restrictions on processing electronic
and paper based records in the Data Protection Act
1998, which came into force on 1 March 2000. This
month the United Kingdom's Medical Research Coun
cil (MRC) is the latest of several professional organisa
tions to respond to these developments by updating its
guidance on confidentiality and the use of personal
information (see table on BMJ 's website).1–4 The MRC
has provided invaluable, balanced guidance but there is
still a real risk that strict and selective application of the
other directives could jeopardise audit, clinical govern
ance, and observational epidemiological research. This
would compromise patient care and the public interest.