Under what condition can health information be shared for scientific research?

The sharing of health information for scientific research is primarily governed by ethical and legal standards that ensure the protection of patient privacy and confidentiality. When health information is used for research purposes, it generally must undergo an ethical review process, such as obtaining approval from an Institutional Review Board (IRB) or equivalent ethics committee. This ensures that the research aligns with ethical principles, including respect for persons, beneficence, and justice.

In specific scenarios, even de-identified data can sometimes be shared without explicit consent from patients, provided that the research has received ethical approval. The significance of the ethical review process is to safeguard the rights of participants and to assess the risk and benefit of the research.

While obtaining patient consent is a common requirement for sharing health information, there are exceptions under certain guidelines, especially when the research is conducted under an approved protocol. The necessity of ethical approval thereby emphasizes a commitment to responsible scientific inquiry while balancing patient privacy and potential benefits to public health.

Overall, the correct answer reflects the understanding that ethical oversight and specific conditions are essential for the lawful sharing of health information for research purposes.