Global conflicts and crises significantly affect all forms of healthcare delivery, evidenced by the COVID-19 pandemic and wars. Mass migration results in the displacement of millions of people without any access to their personal health records (PHRs). To improve access to health records for everyone, anywhere in the world, cloud-based healthcare infrastructures for PHRs need to be evaluated. This to manage significant chronic conditions such as ischaemic heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, missing out on quality routine and planned care. Cloud based PHRs would also enable both patients’ co-ownership and a research platform in the era of artificial intelligence in medicine. This has not previously been the subject of scientific focus.
Here we present the results of the first Global Patient co-Owned Cloud (GPOC) structured survey and a consensus summit. The survey was answered by key opinion leaders from all 193 United Nations’ (UN) member states, 2 UN observer states (Holy See & Palestine) and 1 de facto UN non-member state (Taiwan) with additional input from 18 top-ranked, international organisations. The survey identified twelve major facets that require research attention.
Based on the feedback and results, we also assessed the necessity and feasibility of developing a GPOC paradigm. This consists of evidenced-based scientific principles in accordance with ethical, economic, technical, legal, and international regulatory considerations. Through this we investigate a globally inclusive foundation structure using personal health records as the fulcrum for effective cross-border collaborative healthcare.