Wir überwinden Grenzen

At the Medical Center – University of Freiburg, the scientific analysis of treatment data is a key component in driving medical progress. Our goal is to better understand diseases and actively shape the healthcare of tomorrow—both within the Medical Center and the Faculty of Medicine – University of Freiburg, as well as by supporting public-interest research projects conducted by qualified partners.

In Baden-Württemberg, the legal basis for the disclosure of data to third parties in this context is primarily Section 48 of the Baden-Württemberg State Hospital Act (LKHG BW).

Security and Protection of Your Identity

We are aware of the sensitivity of your data. All data usage is subject to the strictest security measures and oversight by our data protection officers.

To protect your privacy, two established procedures are used equally:

• Anonymization: In this process, all identifying characteristics are altered or removed to such an extent that it is permanently and irreversibly impossible to trace the data back to you. The data can no longer be attributed to a specific individual.

• Pseudonymization: In this process, the name and date of birth are replaced by a code (pseudonym). Researchers can analyze the data but do not know which individual it pertains to. Only an independent body (the Medical Center – University of Freiburg’s data trustee) can reassign the code under strict conditions if necessary.

Both methods ensure that researchers cannot re-identify you. The specific method chosen depends on the requirements of the respective research project, though one of the two methods is always used.

Clear rules on purpose limitation:

Your data may only be used for specifically defined research purposes and within the framework of legal requirements (§ 48 LKHG). Disclosure to unauthorized third parties (e.g., insurance companies or employers) is strictly prohibited by law and is consistently prevented by our security measures.

An overview of our research projects

In accordance with the legal requirements of § 48 LKHG, we provide you with a current overview of our research projects here. 

Currently, no projects have yet been carried out based on §48 LKHG BW.

Your Right to Object

You have the right to object to the use of your data for research purposes under § 48 LKHG at any time. An objection has no negative impact on your current or future treatment.

• Further information on the right to object and the corresponding form can be found on our page:
  Objection & Data Protection Rights at the Medical Center – University of Freiburg

Stronger Together: The Medical Informatics Initiative (MII)

Medical research does not end at the boundaries of a hospital. As part of the federal Medical Informatics Initiative, collaborative projects are funded that securely process patients’ health data and make it accessible to participating hospitals. This helps us identify comparable cases and enable personalized therapies.

An important example of this is the PM⁴Onco collaborative project on personalized cancer medicine, coordinated at the Medical Center – University of Freiburg.

Detailed information on the secure and responsible use of health data for medical research purposes can be found on the Medical Informatics Initiative portal: www.vernetzen-forschen-heilen.de

Research Projects Based on Consent

Research projects based on so-called broad consent within the framework of the MII are centrally managed in the nationwide project registry. Information on this can be found in the:

Health Research Data Portal (FDPG)

Additional Data Protection Information

Comprehensive information on data protection at the Medical Center – University of Freiburg, the data controllers, and your rights under the State Data Protection Act (LDSG) and the GDPR can be found here:

Data Protection | Medical Center – University of Freiburg