Pseudonymization for research data collection: is the juice worth the squeeze?

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:The collection of data and biospecimens which characterize patients and probands in-depth is a core element of modern biomedical research. Relevant data must be considered highly sensitive and it needs to be protected from unauthorized use and re-identification. In this context, laws, regulations, guidelines and best-practices often recommend or mandate pseudonymization, which means that directly identifying data of subjects (e.g. names and addresses) is stored separately from data which is primarily needed for scientific analyses. DISCUSSION:When (authorized) re-identification of subjects is not an exceptional but a common procedure, e.g. due to longitudinal data collection, implementing pseudonymization can significantly increase the complexity of software solutions. For examp

SUBMITTER: Kohlmayer F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6727563 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature