Question
Should de-identified data about patient outcomes be shared with qualified researchers by default, unless patients opt out?
Background
Researchers say broader access to de-identified outcome data can accelerate discovery and improve care quality. Privacy advocates caution that re-identification risks remain, and some patients prefer explicit consent for any data use beyond direct care.
Options
- Share de-identified outcome data with approved researchers by default, with a clear patient opt-out.
- Require explicit patient opt-in before any research use of data.
- Limit data sharing to internal research projects only.
- Prohibit secondary use of patient data for research beyond existing practices.