GPOC Programme
The GPOC Research Programme
This thesis introduces and critically examines the Global Patient Co-Owned Cloud (GPOC). This is an innovative, patient-centric concept designed to revolutionise the management and utilisation of personal health records (PHRs). The GPOC research series integrates insights from five comprehensive studies. These have all been published in high-ranking peer-reviewed scientific journals.
From idea to research programme
2005
GlobeDoc Research founded
2010
GlobeDoc platform with patient co-owned health records
2024–2025
Five peer-reviewed GPOC studies (Nature Communications, BMC Digital Health, Bioethics Open Research)
2026
PhD thesis, University of Copenhagen
2026
GlobeDoc Research Hub (non-profit)
Global reach
193
UN member states, all of them
3
additional states: Holy See, Palestine and Taiwan
18
major international organisations
267
individual responses from 214 entities
The survey gained a full response rate (100%) from all 193 UN member states. It also received answers from the two UN observer states (Holy See and Palestine) and the one de facto non-UN member state (Taiwan). Additionally, the eighteen invited major international organisations fully responded.
Participating organisations: United Nations (UN), World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), UNESCO, UNAIDS, World Bank, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), World Economic Forum (WEF), Africa Health Organisation (AHO), Amnesty International, Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET), Freedom House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Doctors Without Borders (MSF), Global Organisation Against Female Genital Mutilation, IPAS – Partners for Reproductive Justice, and Population Services International (PSI).
Leaders and advisors of these organisations contributed to the GPOC Survey. Participation does not imply endorsement.
Key findings
89%
agreed on the benefits of patient co-ownership
84%
agreed on the benefits of data mobility
85%
disagreed with data sharing without consent
64%
disagreed with centralised state ownership
The five studies
Systematic review and meta-analysis (Nature Communications)
The systematic review and meta-analysis assess the current landscape of cloud-based PHRs. It focused on critical aspects such as cryptographic security, performance, and cost-effectiveness. Its findings reveal significant heterogeneity, underscoring the need for standardisation to pave the way for a universally accessible and efficient GPOC.
Read the paper →International GPOC Survey (BMC Digital Health)
The international GPOC survey engaged opinion leaders and stakeholders associated with health ministries from all 193 United Nations member states, and its three observer or de facto independent states. It also covered eighteen important international organisations. The results highlighted a strong global consensus supporting the concept of patient co-ownership of health data.
Read the paper →Ethics and legislation systematic review (Bioethics Open Research)
The ethics and legislation systematic review delves into the complex regulatory landscape governing health data. It explores how a co-ownership model could align with human rights principles and existing legal frameworks. In summary, the review proposes a trisection of ownership between patients, clinicians, and healthcare providers. This is to balance autonomy, accountability, and accessibility.
Read the paper →GPOC Delphi Summit (BMC Digital Health)
The GPOC Summit reaches a unanimous agreement on the potential benefits of GPOC for global health, democratisation of medicine and for medical research. Participants highlight the advantages for diverse populations, including refugees, travellers, and developing economies.
Read the paper →GPOC Technical Sandbox (BMC Digital Health)
The sandbox demonstrates the GPOC feasibility through blockchain technology, and discusses technical challenges and possibilities, such as homomorphic encryption and user-centric design principles. The GPOC Sandbox is publicly available and facilitates real-time testing of authorisation, transmission, and access control, inviting contributions from stakeholders.
Read the paper →Why it matters
For global health
By enabling equitable access to AI-driven medical solutions and fostering international collaboration, the GPOC concept aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
For patients and clinicians
Respondents emphasised the importance of data mobility and interoperability. They clearly pronounced the ethical imperative for patient autonomy and participation in medical research, with provisions for privacy and informed consent.
For research
They concluded that GPOC would foster global collaboration in medical research and democratise access to cutting-edge artificial intelligence applications in medicine.
Conclusion
The GPOC Series provides a comprehensive examination of a patient-centric cloud-based health record system. Its findings from the systematic review, international survey, Delphi summit, and technical sandbox collectively support the feasibility and benefits of implementing a GPOC platform. This may contribute to global health and the democratisation of medicine. Hopefully, for the greatest benefit to humankind.
What we are building now
GlobeDoc Research Hub now continues this work: developing the GPOC platform further, together with researchers worldwide. The thesis findings advocate for continued multidisciplinary research, multi-stakeholder engagement, and the development of ethical, regulatory, and technical frameworks to realise the vision of a truly global, patient-centred health record platform.
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