Time-Honored Model

In the traditional medical model, essential health data is usually gathered and compiled in a direct manner.   The primary resource for health information is the medical record.   This information is sequentially logged as the patient's health history, examination findings, diagnosis, and treatment that take place over a period of time.   The primary source information is garnered through self-report, the compilation of the health provider's findings and recommendations, along with the diagnostic information related through associated tests and referrals.   This is considered a "top-down" or "provider-controlled" environment.²

Historically this component of information has been and continues to be considered the "patient health record."  Generally this record remains available in paper-based format.   An electronic form of this information has been distilled into an electronic format for the past 5 to 10 years.   This was done in order to facilitate insurance company needs and eventual government requirements for the efficiencies of electronic payment transactions [EDI].³

To augment the information provided by the traditional medical record that chronologically documents care as it is provided, a contemporary approach assembles a composite picture of the same information as it is shared electronically.   This compilation of information from multiple sources is often associated with either governmental or commercial uses.   A question arises as to the effect of such practices of data collection and warehousing in terms of infringement on the rights of the individual and the potential to personally harm an individual through unauthorized disclosure.

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