Stefanie Kemp, Member of the Management Board of Sana Kliniken AG and Dieter Weißhaar, CEO myneva Group, talk about data protection and artificial intelligence in healthcare:
DW: Stefanie, we've known each other for a long time. You are a board member and CTO of the Sana Group. Let's talk today about the pressing issues of digitalization in the healthcare sector. Which aspects of the interplay between data protection and digitalization in the healthcare sector are the most crucial for you?
SK: At the top of the list is data protection in the healthcare sector. It's hard enough to keep up with the advancing digitalization and the increased use of technologies such as eHealth and AI tools. There are various aspects of this topic that need to be considered:
Most importantly, the security of patient data: It is obvious to everyone that it is essential to protect it from unauthorized access and misuse. This applies in particular to personal health information, medical findings and treatment plans. The key words here are secure storage, encryption technologies and access controls.
In addition, patients must be fully informed about how their data is used and they should be able to consent to the use of their data. This requires clear and understandable data protection guidelines as well as transparency about what data is collected, for what purpose it is used and with whom it is shared - in other words, sovereignty over one's own data.
DW: What role do AI tools play in this? 
SK: AI tools offer enormous potential for improving diagnosis, documentation and administration in the healthcare sector. But we must not neglect data protection aspects. This includes ensuring data integrity, security and confidentiality as well as avoiding discrimination or bias in the results.
DW: Doesn't the legislator take care of this anyway?
SK: Yes, of course healthcare facilities and companies in the healthcare sector must comply with the applicable data protection laws and regulations, be it the GDPR in Europe or HIPAA in the USA. But this requires continuous monitoring and adaptation to changing legal requirements, as well as the establishment of mechanisms to verify compliance and respond to data breaches.
And let's not forget: Healthcare data privacy is also about ethical considerations. It is important that all parties involved respect ethical principles such as data protection, autonomy and non-maleficence and that transparent communication and open dialog are encouraged. This is the only way to build the necessary trust between the parties involved.
As you can see, the protection of patient data and personal data in the healthcare sector is an extremely complex issue. Quick fixes are not helpful if we want to maintain the balance between innovation and data protection while respecting the rights and well-being of individuals. A multidisciplinary approach that takes into account legal, technological, ethical and social aspects is essential to successfully tackle the challenges associated with data protection in healthcare.
DW: Data protection is only one factor in dealing with data in the healthcare sector. A second aspect that is increasingly being discussed is the use of existing data and the sovereignty of data in connection with the use of artificial intelligence. What aspects should be considered here?
SK: First of all, there is no question that the use of data in the healthcare system, especially in conjunction with AI technologies and data sovereignty, offers a number of advantages.
For example, by analyzing large amounts of data, AI models can identify patterns and trends that support human doctors. This can lead to a more accurate diagnosis and a more effective treatment plan, which ultimately improves health outcomes.
Data enables a personalized approach to healthcare. By analyzing individual health data, AI can help develop customized treatment plans that meet the specific needs of each patient.
AI can also help to detect disease risks at an early stage by identifying anomalies or patterns that indicate a potential health threat. This facilitates timely intervention and prevention of disease, to the benefit of patients and, of course, the healthcare system.
AI also helps in research and development: by analyzing large amounts of data, researchers can gain new insights and make progress in medical research and development. This can lead to new therapies, medicines and treatment methods that help to better understand and combat diseases.
DW: What does this mean for healthcare workers?
SK: Their day-to-day work will change, allowing them to concentrate on the essentials. AI improves efficiency in the healthcare sector. The automation of processes through AI can reduce the workload for medical staff, shorten waiting times for patients and reduce costs - for both the healthcare provider and the community.
However, for all the benefits, it is important to ensure that privacy and security standards are met to guarantee the integrity and confidentiality of the data.
DW: In order to become more efficient in the healthcare sector and thus improve the overall situation, there is talk of so-called digital ecosystems. This means the exchange of data between participants in the healthcare system. What is your view on the key points of working in ecosystems?
SK: Data transfer in the eHealth ecosystem plays a crucial role in the efficiency, safety and effectiveness of healthcare. There are several options.
Intersectoral data transfer involves the transfer of healthcare data between different players in the healthcare system, such as hospitals, doctors' surgeries, pharmacies and laboratories. Effective intersectoral data transfer enables seamless collaboration and coordination of healthcare across different facilities.
Electronic patient records (EPRs) are the subject of much public discussion. These are digital health insurance platforms on which patient data can be stored and managed centrally. These platforms enable patients to share their health data from different healthcare providers securely and efficiently. EHRs can help to improve continuity of care and avoid duplication of examinations.
And then there are patient portals, which are online platforms that allow patients to access, manage and share their personal health data with their healthcare providers. By having access to their own data, patients can be more actively involved in their healthcare and gain better control over their health.
DW: What do you think of these different methods?
SK: Regardless of the method of data transfer, it is important that privacy and security standards are adhered to in order to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the data. This includes the encryption of data during transfer, the implementation of access controls and compliance with legal regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the USA.
In addition, an interoperable data infrastructure is crucial to ensure that data can be exchanged seamlessly between different systems and platforms. Promoting standards and guidelines for data exchange is therefore crucial to facilitate collaboration and integration in the eHealth ecosystem and improve healthcare delivery.
DW: Thank you very much, Stefanie Kemp, for your insights. It is clear that at the interface between healthcare and nursing, digital ecosystems can lead to significant benefits in the quality of care through the exchange of data and the reduction of administrative tasks.