Data generated in social welfare and health care services is used secondarily for things such as scientific research, subject to the permission of Findata, the health and social data permit authority. The data is used in such a way that personal data cannot be directly linked to a particular individual. It is possible to obtain significant information from such data that may affect the client’s health or the treatment provided to them.
What happens if significant research findings are made?
- The researcher reports the finding to Findata.
- Findata will investigate which person is affected by the data.
- Findata then forward the information about the finding to the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, where the significance of the matter to the relevant person’s health and treatment is assessed.
- If the information is deemed meaningful, it will be delivered to the wellbeing services county responsible for the person’s care.
Once the information arrives in the wellbeing services county, the person responsible for the matter must check the patient information system to see whether the person concerned has set a denial of consent to contacting them. If a person has a denial of consent in place, they must not be contacted or informed about the finding, or the examination and treatment measures that the finding calls for.
Setting a denial of consent to contact
It will be possible to set a denial of consent in MyKanta in spring 2024 and in person at health care services of the wellbeing services county as soon as the denial of consent functionality has been introduced. Each wellbeing services county defines its own operating model for receiving and recording denials of consent.
If the client wishes to set such a denial, the professional must check how the denial needs to be recorded in the relevant wellbeing services county.
The denial of consent to contact is valid until further notice. The denial can be withdrawn when visiting public health care services or in MyKanta.
The denial of consent to contact does not prevent the use of data for the purpose of scientific research. If you wish to influence the use of your data for secondary purposes, such as scientific research, more information is available at the website of the Office of the Data Protection Ombudsman.