This case study, which makes use of our evaluation approach for the governance of digital identity systems, is the third in a line of similar studies. These case studies, which analyse identity programs and their applications, show how our assessment approach may be modified to examine examples of digital identity in various locales and settings. In addition, the application of digital identity programs in the healthcare industry is examined in this case study. To access patients’ medical records, track their treatment, and guarantee consistency, digital health ID card are being used more and more in the healthcare sector. They provide trustworthy atient identification and authentication methods and make it simple for patients to share their aggregated medical records with other healthcare professionals, insurance agents, etc.
The extension of the uses of the ID to this use, however, also makes the ID holder and the ID system vulnerable to a breach of sensitive personal data, such as medical treatments undergone, family medical history, etc. As a result, existing foundational ID databases are typically used to create health information databases.
Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) / NDHM Digital Health ID Card (National Digital Health Mission).
Launching the new digital health ID card has fundamentally altered India’s public healthcare system. The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), or the NDHM, is the umbrella organisation under which the digital health card was first issued (National Digital Health Mission). The purpose of the digital health ID card is to make it easier for insurance companies, hospitals, and people with health IDs to gain safe access to digital health records.
According to a Livemint report, the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM), which was first introduced as a pilot initiative on the 15th of August 2021 in 6 States and Union Territories and had produced more than 1 lakh health ID cards as of September 2021. Since then, the number has naturally grown dramatically.
Patients in India are entitled to unlimited access to their own personal medication records. However, if “in the opinion of a licensed healthcare professional, the release of the information would threaten the life or safety of the patients and other people,” the healthcare provider (who generated or updated the record) may refuse access to such information.
An Understanding Of NDHM
This one-of-a-kind digital health ID card was envisioned by the NDHM (National Digital Health Mission) or Ayushman Bharat Health Mission to improve healthcare delivery while making all individual health records easily accessible at the touch of a button. The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare oversaw the creation of the mission. The following are some of the NDHM’s fundamental duties:
- The distribution of doctor information and information about health services via mobile apps.
- Cardholders’ medical treatment information and medical histories will be digitally preserved.
- Document storage for reference, such as x-rays and medical reports.
- This app allows doctors to access all of these medical records easily.
- They can also register as Digi Doctors using digital signature capabilities.
What Is The Purpose Of The Digital Health Id Card?
The digital health ID card is an identification card that includes personal data about the cardholder, such as health records. The digital health ID card makes sharing and accessing cardholders’ medical details easy.
Anyone who wants their medical records to be electronically accessible should make this ID card. It is a 14-digit, randomly generated number that is used throughout healthcare systems for patient identity, verification, and easy access to health records (with permission).
Should You Obtain Your Health ID Card For Electronic Health?
You should construct your digital health card for a variety of reasons. Some of them consist of the following:
- The mobile app makes it easy to access your medical information and digital health ID.
- You can safely keep all medical records and documents for further use.
- You may easily manage and communicate with hospitals, physicians, and other institutions about all medical data.
- Your digital health ID cards are simple to destroy or deactivate.
Digital Health ID Cards’ Advantages
- Accessing all medical records will help hospitals treat patients more quickly and ultimately save time, effort, and money.
- Integrating health ID cards with personal health records (PHR) to create long-term health histories is possible.
- Simple access to licensed Doctors for advice.
- Individual authorization is sought for each access request on a secure encrypted platform.
- You can easily register, download your health ID card, and manage all information.
- Deactivating your health ID card is always a possibility, and it is also not required.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, this covers all you need to know about digital health ID cards, including the application procedure, advantages, documentation, and much more. Why should healthcare be any different when digitisation is fast-changing every aspect of our everyday lives? Digital IDs and easy transfer/access of medical records could very well signal the next major advancement in Indian healthcare.