Data sharing is a serious matter and so, we should take great consideration before we share our data. If I were assigned to a dataset of my country, the decision to share such data would be based on whether I was given the consent of the patients from that dataset as well as the reasons why we are sharing it. Firstly, before sharing any data from the dataset, I must ensure that I received informed consent from the participants from that dataset. When collecting informed consent, I must explain clearly and frankly who will receive the data and why we are sharing this data.
After receiving informed consent, I have to ensure that their names and other identifiable variables are de-identified so that the data from our dataset remains confidential. Additionally, the reasons to share data from one’s country are also important factors to consider when sharing data. For example, when we are in the midst of an epidemic or potential pandemic, it is reasonable that I should be thinking about sharing a dataset from our country as it will make them better prepared their healthcare systems and resources by identifying valuable trends and insights from our data.
To conclude, when you are assigned to a dataset, you must ensure their privacy as well as the confidentiality of those data. And also ensure that they are not shared without the informed consent of the participants. And I will think about sharing the data from my country, if the participants from that dataset give me their informed consent and the reasons to share the data are for the benefits of other countries and the community whose data are shared as well as the well-being of the humankind.