The medical treatment provider is in a position of trust, often based on direct and long-term contact. This relationship based on trust requires very careful data management. As the occasion arises, the medical treatment provider will exchange medical personal data with other parties, such as specialists and care institutions. This exchange of data is governed by the Wet bescherming persoonsgegevens (Wbp; Dutch Data Protection Act) and by the medical professional confidentiality.
Sometimes, medical data must be provided to a third party. Information management by a third party (Managed care) may affect the relationship of trust between doctor and patient. Also, this may threaten the protection of medical data.