JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Integrating data and information systems into national health strategies is crucial in addressing the growing healthcare demands. This demand increase is driven by an ageing population and the rising prevalence of chronic diseases; the need for robust and comprehensive health information systems is increasingly pressing. These systems enable the collection, analysis and publishing of health data, providing critical insights based on data-driven decision-making that support policy decisions, health interventions, and service delivery. Moreover, it enhances the capacity for public health surveillance, enabling health authorities to monitor health trends, predict disease outbreaks, and effectively manage health crises such as the recent COVID-19 pandemic. This paper highlights the key aspects and characteristics that, according to international references, a well-functioning health information system and data-driven decision-making at the national level should have. The two research questions address specific aspects of health and technology, aiming to fill knowledge gaps and improve healthcare practices and outcomes in the Czech Republic: (i) What are the critical elements of a conceptual and sustainable health data-sharing strategy, including the national health information system's essential characteristics and components? (ii) How is the Czech healthcare system covered in terms of organisation, methodology, and technology in the health data domain? Effective data integration also necessitates addressing data quality, privacy and security challenges. In addition to the existing General Data Protection Regulation, the European Parliament has approved new legislation (Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act) improving the functioning of health information systems. Ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of health data protects individuals' privacy and builds public trust, essential for successfully implementing national health strategies. The idea of health information exchange says that all health data should be readily available to patients and clinicians at the point of care, regardless of where that data were generated. Standardising data formats and protocols enhances interoperability between health information systems, allowing for seamless data exchange and collaboration among healthcare providers, policymakers and researchers. The outputs in the form of the National Health Data-Sharing Strategy in the Czech Republic and successfully implemented case studies over selected domains of the Czech healthcare system are introduced here, to which the methodological background and the achieved results are linked. The Czech National Health Information System has been completed as the backbone for centralising health data. It is a nationwide public administration tool in which data from the essential registries of public administration bodies, ministries, health service providers, or other persons submitting data to this system are collected and processed. It is the foundation for shaping a healthcare system responsive to patient needs, efficient resource utilisation, and a patient-centred approach. An example of fictitious patient pathway monitoring through the healthcare system is also presented here.