[London, ENGLAND] Swiss-based online health information service
DrGlobe.com announced
Monday a European “Health Account” where people can store
and manage their personal health data.
Ali Kursun, one of the founders of DrGlobe.com, claimed
that the service would benefit everyone, especially
individuals who would be better able to manage their
health information, and travelers worldwide who could
access their key data quickly and easily.
“Doctors can see the medical history of their patients, employers
will be able to offer their employees value-added health
care benefits as part of the package they offer; administrations
will be able to reduce their overheads and have quick
information retrieval,” said Kursun.
So-called Health Accounts (the name has been trademarked) are
intended to carry information about the individual’s
medical history, insurance, and allergies, as well
as immunization records, emergency contacts, and
supporting data.
With DrGlobe.com, say the founders, the management of
personal health information becomes quick, easy and
cost-effective. To open an account costs just fifteen
euros (US $14).
According to DrGlobe.com’s two founders Ali Kursun and
Constantin Syridis all the health data is completely
secure, although it may be difficult for them to convince
doctors that this is so.
A statement at the DrGlobe.com site says: “We believe we
can elevate consumers’ privacy and confidentiality to a
higher level than paper records ever have, by providing
them with the opportunity to control their health information
and monitor its use.”
However, no specific details about security were available
from DrGlobe.com, other than mention of the standard use
of user name and password, and an assurance that the site
“has the highest level of protection at all times.”
Hackers who have succeeded in penetrating NASA and the
Pentagon will probably be flexing their keyboard fingers
on hearing of this new challenge.