Kerina Jones

Citation Please cite as: Loading authors... Download: Published on 21.08.19 in Vol 21, No 8 (2019): August Preprints (earlier versions) of this paper are available at http://preprints.jmir.org/preprint/14384, first published Apr 14, 2019.

Health data is more than just statistics or numbers. It can be collected, used and shared in lots of different ways. But ignoring certain medical data has the potential to change the way you are treated, how your care is provided and what happens to you as a result. When you visit a doctor or hospital, the questions you’re asked, and treatment you’re given are all taken down in medical records.

When you visit a doctor or hospital, the questions you're asked, and treatment you're given are all taken down in medical records. These are confidential, but when anonymised this information holds immeasurable potential for public benefit, so long as it is used safely and effectively. All of this information combined ultimately forms the evidence for new clinical guidelines, drug development and government health policy.