Global Digital Health Diplomacy: The Global-EHR and First Steps for a Global Treaty on Digital Health
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Keywords
global digital health, electronic health record, digital health diplomacy
Abstract
Successful globalisation in health is dependent on Global Digital Health. As of today, however, we do not enjoy the interoperability needed to enable a global health care delivery system that is equitable, safe, effective, patient-centered, timely and efficient. People are afraid to travel to a remote location where access to their device or health data is not possible. They are aware that healthcare services in another country may not be of the same quality and these factors leave them feeling unsafe to travel and ‘chained’ to their locality.
A real worldwide cross-border digital health service includes a Global Electronic Health Record (G-EHR). This could be realized with co-ordinated efforts across countries. Some progress is possible through international agreements for mutual health data transmission, recognition of information systems and common approaches to the use of an international standard. To achieve full interoperability, however, political consensus is needed: Digital Health Diplomacy (DHD) efforts can deliver such alignment. DHD refers to concentrated international efforts towards supranational interoperability in Digital Health leading to cross-jurisdictional digital health services and data access and/or exchange.
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