• January 1

    • Structured data for data sharing

      There is a strong belief in the power of data sharing. The quality of the data is crucial though. After all, the quality of the data collected determines the potential that data collection has for improving healthcare. 

      Christiaan Polet (Head ICT and data management at UZ Ghent) and Bart Hamers (Head ICT and data management at UZ Leuven) put it bluntly: ‘Better structured and coded data that can be used for both primary and secondary purposes is our absolute focus for the coming years.’ This requires healthcare providers not only to record the data, but also to do so in a standardised manner. And that requires a change in mindset and intrinsic motivation. Greater standardisation requires effort, but the returns are enormous: better care pathways, greater insight into the effectiveness of treatments and, ultimately, higher quality of care. If we want to reap the full benefits, we must fully commit to high-quality data, shared responsibility and strong security. Choosing ‘our data’ is choosing better healthcare.

      Source: Dutch article on Zorgnet-Icuro, https://www.zorgneticuro.be/artikel/editoriaal-zorgwijzer-120-mijn-dossier-wordt-ons-dossier