Challenges and Solutions for Patient Data Protection in Large Healthcare Databases

The digital transformation of healthcare has led to the exponential growth of large-scale healthcare databases, raising urgent questions about the protection of sensitive patient data. This paper explores the key legal, ethical, and technological challenges involved in safeguarding personal health information across diverse systems and jurisdictions. It examines the limitations of current data protection frameworks such as the GDPR and HIPAA, particularly in the context of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain, and federated learning. Through comparative analysis and selected case studies, the paper highlights how anonymization, interoperability, digital trust, and patient-centered governance models can be effectively combined to enhance data protection without compromising innovation. Finally, the study offers strategic recommendations for policymakers, healthcare institutions, and international networks to ensure ethical, secure, and equitable use of health data in both clinical and research settings.