Reuse of healthcare data for scientific research

Virtually all the knowledge we have about illness, health and treatments is partly based on medical and scientific research. This research helps to improve care for current and future patients. Much scientific research uses data collected during the provision of care. The results can provide new insights into the aetiology, progression and treatment of diseases and conditions.

For some medical research studies, we must always ask for your consent. For example, if we carry out additional measurements specifically for the purposes of the research. You can find more information about taking part in medical research at take part in (scientific) research and in the brochure from the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport: 'Medical and scientific research''.

For medical-scientific research in which we exclusively reuse your medical data and imaging material that has already been collected, this means that we do not collect any additional data and we do not need to seek your consent as a patient. However, the following conditions must be met (1):

• The research serves the public interest.
• The research cannot be carried out without the relevant data.
• It is difficult or almost impossible to seek consent (for example, because it involves data relating to a very large group of people).
• Care is taken to ensure that the data is provided in such a way that it cannot reasonably be traced back to individual natural persons.
• The client has not objected to the use of his/her data for scientific research.

If you do not wish your medical data and imaging to be reused for medical and scientific research, you may object to this.

If you object to the reuse of your medical data and imaging material for medical-scientific research, you can make this known using the objection form. You can obtain this form Download here and send it by post (3831RB ’t Koendert 8, Leusden) or by email to wetenschap@rondomlopengroep.nl. Your objection will be noted in your medical records. You are entirely free to make your own choice in this matter. If you lodge an objection, this will have no impact whatsoever on your relationship with your treating healthcare provider.

Please note: If you have previously given separate consent to take part in a medical-scientific study, that consent remains valid. This is the case even if you now lodge an objection. You may, however, withdraw your consent at any time.

When we publish data from scientific research, your privacy is well protected. In reports and publications of scientific studies, no one can identify that the data relates to you.

(1) Article 458 of Book 7 ‘Special Contracts’ of the Civil Code