A private doctor updating their profile on a health directory, a pharmacist checking the compliance of their website, a nurse consulting a reference for good digital practices: these everyday situations all rely on the same need. Access to reliable, up-to-date professional information that is adapted to the regulatory framework of the online health sector.
Health data and certified HDS hosting: what every professional must verify
Even before publishing content online or offering a digital service, the question of health data storage arises. Any professional handling patient data through a connected tool must ensure that the hosting provider has HDS certification (Health Data Hosting).
This certification guarantees a level of security that complies with the requirements of the Public Health Code. It covers data encryption, access traceability, and the physical location of servers. An uncertified HDS host exposes the professional to sanctions, even if the data is stored with a third-party provider.
You may have noticed that some appointment booking or teleconsultation platforms display an HDS logo? This is not a marketing argument. It is a regulatory obligation related to GDPR and specific rules for the medical sector. When consulting professional information on Santé 365, you will find this type of useful reference to guide your digital choices in compliance.
For a private practice, the reflex is to ask three questions to their technical provider:
- Is the host certified HDS and is this certification up to date?
- Are patient data stored on servers located in France or the European Union?
- Has a data processing register been established in accordance with GDPR?
Without clear answers to these three points, the legal risk is real.
Digital identification of health professionals: e-CPS and Pro Santé Connect
Electronic identification is the foundation of any digital health pathway. For several years, the physical CPS card has coexisted with its dematerialized version, the e-CPS application, which allows authentication from a smartphone.
The e-CPS is gradually replacing the physical card to access digital health services. It works with Pro Santé Connect, a unique authentication system that provides access to numerous tele-services: consultation of the RPPS (Shared Directory of Health Professionals), access to the DMP (Shared Medical Record), and use of the INSi tele-service to verify a patient’s national health identity.
Why choose a mobile application instead of a chip card? The answer lies in the increasing mobility of professionals. A doctor on a home visit, a nurse on rounds, or an on-call pharmacist need quick and secure access, without a dedicated card reader.
Activating your e-CPS in practice
Activation involves downloading the official application, followed by an identity verification procedure linked to the RPPS number. Without a valid RPPS number, no activation is possible. This point often blocks recent graduates who have not yet completed their registration with the professional order.
Once activated, the e-CPS provides access to all Pro Santé Connect compatible services. The professional no longer needs to memorize multiple identifiers.
Teleconsultation and tightened regulatory framework in 2026
Telemedicine has experienced rapid expansion, but the legal framework has tightened. In 2026, new rules will more strictly regulate work stoppages prescribed remotely. The maximum duration of a stoppage issued during a teleconsultation is now limited, with specific exceptions reserved for the treating physician and the referring midwife.
At the same time, a decree from July 2026 has strengthened the referencing and accreditation of teleconsultation companies. Controls focus on compliance with good practices, and the possibilities for suspension or non-renewal of accreditation have been broadened.
Exclusive practice in teleconsultation: an unstable legal ground
The question of practicing exclusively remotely remains contested. A court ruling in 2026 favored a general practitioner practicing solely through teleconsultation, while the medical order maintains its principled opposition. The legal ambiguity persists between case law and the ordinal position.
For professionals integrating teleconsultation into their practice, caution requires documenting each act, verifying the compatibility of the platform used with ANS references, and ensuring that prescriptions comply with the new limitations.
Training in digital skills in health: a professional pathway challenge
Mastering digital tools is not limited to knowing how to use practice management software. The Pix+ Health Professionals program, launched in partnership with the Ministerial Delegation for Digital Health, offers assessment and support for digital skills specific to health professions.
This program covers concrete situations:
- Protecting a patient’s health data during an exchange between professionals
- Properly using the Shared Medical Record for care coordination
- Identifying risks associated with the use of non-compliant tools (unsecured messaging, storage on personal servers)
- Offering a teleconsultation in compliance with ethical standards
Digital skills are now part of the continuing education pathway. Healthcare institutions and private professionals have an interest in integrating these assessments into their professional development plan.
The regulatory framework for digital health evolves every year, with direct impacts on daily practice. Verifying the certification of your host, activating your professional digital identity, complying with the new teleconsultation rules, and keeping your digital skills up to date are not optional steps. They are the conditions for compliant and secure practice.
