Consequences for research if use of anonymised patient data breaches confidentiality

EDITOR—During this century well conducted clinical and epidemiological research has formed the basis of remarkable advances in medical knowledge. The benefits provided to countless patients by these advances have greatly outweighed the possible risks entailed in clinical studies. The success of these endeavours has been well safeguarded by established laws, directives, regulations, and guidelines. Research using patient records has provided important information on factors predisposing to disease and successful outcomes. A recent legal case—Source Informatics (now owned by IMS Health) v Department of Health, 28 May 1999—now threatens much healthcare research by suggesting that the use of patient data that have been subjected to procedures ensuring the anonymity of …