Hiding patient information in medical images : an encrypted dual image reversible and secure patient data hiding algorithm for E-healthcare

Medical data hiding is used to hide patient information inside medical images to protect patient privacy. Patient information in the image should be protected when sending medical images to other specialists or hospitals over the communication network. However, the images are exposed to various unwanted disruptive signals in the communication channel. One of these signals is salt and pepper noise. A pixel exposed to salt and pepper noise becomes completely black or completely white. In pixel-based data hiding methods, it is not possible to extract the secret message in the pixel exposed to this kind of noise. While current data hiding methods are good for many disruptive effects, they are weak against salt and pepper noise. For this reason, the proposed study especially focuses on the accurate extraction of patient information in the salt and pepper noisy medical images. This study was proposed for the most accurate extraction of secret message despite salt and pepper noise, by use of a Reed Solomon error control coding-based data hiding method. The most important feature of Reed Solomon codes is that they can correct errors in non-binary (decimal) numbers directly. Therefore, the Reed Solomon coding-based data hiding method that proposed in this study increases the resistance against salt and pepper noise. Experimental studies show that secret data is accurately extracted from stego images with various densities of salt and pepper noise. Stego medical images created by the proposed method have superior quality values compared to similar literature studies. Additionally, compared to similar methods, the secret message is extracted from the noisy stego image with higher accuracy.

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Hiding clinical information in medical images: An encrypted dual-image reversible data hiding algorithm with base-3 numeral framework

Optik ◽

10.1016/j.ijleo.2018.12.130 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 181 ◽

pp. 1099-1112 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Rupali Bhardwaj ◽

Ashutosh Aggarwal

Keyword(s):

Data Hiding ◽

Reversible Data Hiding ◽

Medical Images ◽

Clinical Information ◽

Dual Image

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The academic viewpoint on Big data and patient data ownership (as seen in the scientific literature)

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.171 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

I Mircheva ◽

M Mirchev

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Big Data ◽

Medical Research ◽

Information And Communication Technologies ◽

Patient Information ◽

Scientific Literature ◽

Medical Data ◽

Patient Data ◽

Academic Community ◽

Ethical Challenges

Abstract Background Ownership of patient information in the context of Big Data is a relatively new problem, apparently not yet fully understood. There are not enough publications on the subject. Since the topic is interdisciplinary, incorporating legal, ethical, medical and aspects of information and communication technologies, a slightly more sophisticated analysis of the issue is needed. Aim To determine how the medical academic community perceives the issue of ownership of patient information in the context of Big Data. Methods Literature search for full text publications, indexed in PubMed, Springer, ScienceDirect and Scopus identified only 27 appropriate articles authored by academicians and corresponding to three focus areas: problem (ownership); area (healthcare); context (Big Data). Three major aspects were studied: scientific area of publications, aspects and academicians' perception of ownership in the context of Big Data. Results Publications are in the period 2014 - 2019, 37% published in health and medical informatics journals, 30% in medicine and public health, 19% in law and ethics; 78% authored by American and British academicians, highly cited. The majority (63%) are in the area of scientific research - clinical studies, access and use of patient data for medical research, secondary use of medical data, ethical challenges to Big data in healthcare. The majority (70%) of the publications discuss ownership in ethical and legal aspects and 67% see ownership as a challenge mostly to medical research, access control, ethics, politics and business. Conclusions Ownership of medical data is seen first and foremost as a challenge. Addressing this challenge requires the combined efforts of politicians, lawyers, ethicists, computer and medical professionals, as well as academicians, sharing these efforts, experiences and suggestions. However, this issue is neglected in the scientific literature. Publishing may help in open debates and adequate policy solutions. Key messages Ownership of patient information in the context of Big Data is a problem that should not be marginalized but needs a comprehensive attitude, consideration and combined efforts from all stakeholders. Overcoming the challenge of ownership may help in improving healthcare services, medical and public health research and the health of the population as a whole.

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