EHRxF for Citizens
EHRxF for Citizens
Citizen
One of the key objectives of the European Health Data Space (EHDS) regulation is “to improve access to and control by natural persons over their personal electronic health data in the context of healthcare”. Citizens, and their circle of informal care givers, play an increasingly important role in the maintenance of their own health. They want to meet with a professional team that is well informed and up-to-date about their particular medical situation and any relevant history they bring. This is where the EHR exchange format comes in: it enables the citizen to share their data with the team of their choice. Having access to this information and being able to share it with others empowers patients to take control. Such empowerment in turn can be used by citizens to navigate the health system for prevention, care, and wellness; and can also support citizens in active involvement in health maintenance and care decisions.
Scenario 1: Seamless Healthcare Across Europe with ePrescription
Emma, a busy professional from Brussels managing a chronic condition, faces a challenge when an unexpected business trip to Rome leaves her without her daily medication. Fortunately, the European EHRxF initiative allows her pharmacist in Rome to access her ePrescription from Belgian health records, ensuring accurate translation and secure sharing of her health data between systems. Upon her return to Brussels, Emma’s General Practitioner seamlessly integrates the record of the medication dispensed in Rome into her care plan, illustrating the efficacy of cross-border ePrescriptions in maintaining continuity of care.
Scenario 2: Usefulness of the Format for Pre-screening in Clinical Trials
In France, Paul has been dealing with an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) for three years, enduring treatment side effects. Seeking innovative alternatives, he engages with the “Mon Espace Santé” application, endorsed by the French government, consenting to personal data sharing for potential clinical trial eligibility. Through the Mon Espace Santé application, Paul’s shares his health data, converted to European EHRxF International Patient Summary (IPS) format, with a service that checks if he is eligible for pre-trials screening. Informed of his potential eligibility, Paul selects a local hospital and authorizes data sharing. Subsequently, the investigation team validates his pre-screening and schedules an on-site visit for further assessment, facilitating his inclusion in the trial. Paul hopes his participation in the trial will have a positive impact for all those suffering from IBD. This narrative underscores the significance of patient access to clinical trials and the pivotal role of digital health platforms in accelerating the process.