Synthetic health data offers a partial solution to the challenges facing research, development, education, and innovation (RDEI) in the health sector.
RDEI activities in the social and health sector are fragmented and short-sighted, and often disconnected from the development and commercialization of service systems. The potential of companies and research organizations remains unutilized because it is difficult to access real health data, partly due to data protection restrictions. Synthetic health data offers a partial solution to these challenges.
Broadly speaking, synthetic health data falls into two main categories: anonymous and non-anonymous. Anonymous synthetic data does not contain personal information, so it can be used in RDEI activities without GDPR restrictions, for example in the early development of algorithms, information systems, and service concepts. Non-anonymous synthetic health data, on the other hand, may contain information comparable to personal data. In such cases, its use generally requires adherence to the same procedures as when using real health data.
As part of the sixth pilot of the Data Economy Growth Program (Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment), Health Campus Turku is building a national network and production platform for the large-scale use of synthetic health data. The pilot offers training and events for both companies and research organizations. The goal of the initiative is to accelerate and secure the development of innovations and to create sustainable value in the health sector.