Rayan FaroukWe’ve talked about NABIDH and we’ve talked about Consent forms but what are NABIDH consent forms? According to them, NABIDH (National Backbone for Integrated Dubai Health) is Dubai’s health information exchange that securely unifies patient data which is currently distributed across Dubai’s public and private healthcare network. At the heart of NABIDH is the concept of consent- specifically, how and when patients agree to share their health data within the portal.
As a doctor, clinic owner or manager, understanding NABIDH consent forms is crucial to ensuring compliance, patient trust and the smooth operation of your practice. Let’s explore what NABIDH consent forms entail, their significance and best practices for implementing them in your clinic.
NABIDH helps providers access medical histories, diagnoses, treatments and prescriptions across different facilities. One crucial aspect is ensuring patient consent before their data can be shared. This ensures that the system adheres to privacy and data protection standards while keeping lines of communication open with patients.
It’s essential to recognize that patient data, although crucial for better healthcare coordination, is sensitive. Gaining explicit consent from patients to share their data with NABIDH not only complies with legal and regulatory requirements but also fosters trust between healthcare providers and patients.
In dental clinics, this is especially important. Dental treatments often require accessing a patient’s medical history, medication allergies, imaging reports or chronic condition details. NABIDH allows you to make informed decisions quickly—but only after the patient gives you clear permission to use their data. That’s where these consent forms play a key role.
With the webform feature in Balsam Medico, patients can read and then sign their consent forms. The clinic’s consent form includes the procedure, treatment and overall process. At the bottom of the form, it includes a brief description of NABIDH, the purpose of data sharing, which data is shared and the patient’s right regarding their health data, such as the right to access, correct or restrict the sharing of their information.
These elements—purpose, type of data, and patient rights—are not just good practice, they’re also recommended by the Dubai Health Authority. Consent forms should use clear, easy-to-understand language and be available in both Arabic and English. This is to ensure the patient understands what they’re agreeing to before signing.
The patient is given the tablet to read and when they are ready, just click on “Sign as a patient”. You’ll notice that the data is automatically added, along with the doctor’s signature and stamp. All that’s left is the patient signature. Once the patient signs on the tablet, the signature is then saved to their profile.
If the patient refuses the concept of NABIDH and doesn’t wish for their information to be sent over, they can sign the NABIDH Consent Form to Opt-Out. This form is used by patients who want to opt out of the NABIDH platform in the Emirate of Dubai. NABIDH will prevent access to the patient’s health information, including in cases of emergency care, if they choose to opt-out.
NABIDH Opt-In and Opt-Out Forms can be found on their website “nabidh.dha.gov.ae”. You can download the forms to take inspiration for your clinic’s consent form. Or use them alongside your clinic’s consent forms.
Thus, the consent process needs to be smooth from the minute a patient enters your clinic. Ensure the form uses clear language and is easy to understand. Take the time to explain the benefits of NABIDH and how it improves the quality of care they receive. Highlight that their data is secure and that they retain control over their information.
It’s also important to make sure your entire team knows how to handle the consent process. The Dubai Health Authority’s guidelines recommend that clinic staff be trained on how to present the consent form, how to respond if patients have questions, and how to document the process. Make sure your staff understands that patients have the right to refuse—and that refusal must be respected and recorded.
The best way is to train your staff and have them be knowledgeable about NABIDH, the importance of patient consent and how to answer questions patients may have. Staff should also be familiar with how to handle situations where patients refuse consent. Balsam Medico trains the clinic’s staff on how to generate and use the consent forms in the system.
And because every clinic’s workflow is different, we also recommend integrating the consent process into your patient journey from the start. Whether at the reception desk or during the medical history intake, the NABIDH consent form should be part of your digital checklist. This ensures no patient is missed and you stay compliant with DHA policies.
Our customer success team is readily available to assist with any questions or issues, providing peace of mind and allowing clinic staff to focus on their core responsibilities.
Our team is here to help you get started, offering the support and training needed to make the most of our system’s capabilities. Contact us today to learn more about how Balsam Medico can enhance your clinic’s efficiency and effectiveness.
You can also access the full NABIDH patient consent guidelines directly from the Dubai Health Authority here, which outlines in detail what your consent forms should include and how to stay fully compliant.
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