Do I need patient consent to upload a case to GMDB?

Yes, to upload a case to the GestaltMatcher Database (GMDB), you do need explicit consent of the depicted individual.

Uploading a case to GMDB means the data may be visible to other verified medical users, depending on the level of consent and visibility you select. This includes both the clinical information (e.g. HPO terms, diagnosis) and the images, if they are shared as a FAIR case.

Sharing this kind of data, even within a secure, non-public medical research platform like GMDB, requires written consent from the patient or guardian under GDPR.

You can:

• Use the digital consent within GMDB by inviting the patient or guardian to sign electronically, or
• Obtain written consent and confirm it during the upload process by selecting the checkbox Consent obtained.

We provide written consent templates and study information materials you can use for your patients:

• Written consent templates: English | German
• Study information for patients and research participants: English | German
• Study information for children with known diagnosis: English | German
• Study information for children without diagnosis: English | German

You can also find all of these documents in the Downloads section.

→ See also: Do I need patient consent to do an AI analysis of my patient’s photo without creating a case in GMDB?