The Role of Digital Health Interoperability in Healthcare

The growing use of digital technologies in healthcare allows for a more comprehensive understanding of the health of individual patients and of populations and can improve the efficiency of providers. This in turn could enable more accurate diagnoses, timely treatments, and personalized care or interventions at a population level.

To achieve these positive outcomes requires a wide range of systems and tools—from electronic health records to varied management systems—to be “interoperable.” That is, these systems need to be integrated and able to share or use the same data so that they can work together seamlessly.

Our prior research, and research from others, suggests that such integration can lead to benefits: for example, accurate electronic health records, along with tools such as e-prescriptions, could result in up to a 15 percent increase in efficiency within healthcare systems by 2030 (depending on implementation, digital tools and systems selected, existing scale, the spending base, and costs of system implementation). Such gains would allow healthcare workers to concentrate more on high-value medical care and less on administrative tasks.

Building a Foundation for Interoperability

Achieving data interoperability in healthcare can be challenging, but it is crucial for improving patient outcomes and streamlining healthcare delivery. In this article, we will explore the key design dimensions and strategic approaches that countries can take to build a robust and effective interoperable system.

Strategic Approach

1. Governance and operating model: Countries need to establish a governance structure that aligns with their healthcare system. Whether centralized or decentralized, effective leadership engagement is essential for driving decision-making and stakeholder alignment.

2. Timing and phasing and 3. Financing: Countries must carefully plan the timing and phasing of their interoperability initiatives, taking into account available financial resources and stakeholder support. Building foundational elements and securing funding are critical steps in this process.

Architecture and Technical Design

4. Architecture, data, and infrastructure: Data standards, platform selection, data storage, and security are key considerations in the design of interoperable systems. Countries must choose the right mix of international or national standards, open-source or proprietary platforms, and data storage solutions.

5. Identification mechanism: Establishing a robust identification mechanism is essential for ensuring seamless data exchange in healthcare systems. Countries need to consider existing national digital IDs or create new identification systems to support interoperability.

User Engagement

6. Adoption: Driving adoption of interoperable systems requires a combination of mandates, incentives, and user trust-building strategies. Countries must engage with providers, vendors, and patients to ensure broad adoption of the system.

7. Capability building: Investing in capability building within government and across providers is crucial for successful implementation of interoperable systems. Training programs and onboarding initiatives can help build the necessary skills and knowledge among stakeholders.

Conclusion

Establishing and maintaining a successful health data interoperability system is a complex but critical endeavor for improving healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. By carefully considering the strategic approach, architecture and technical design, and user engagement, countries can build a robust and effective interoperable system that meets the needs of their specific context and healthcare ecosystem.

FAQ

What are the benefits of data interoperability in healthcare?

Data interoperability in healthcare can lead to more coordinated care, increased efficiency, better data collection and analysis, improved policy formulation, and enhanced access to new treatments and interventions.

How can countries drive adoption of interoperable systems?

Countries can drive adoption through a combination of mandates, incentives, user engagement, and capability building initiatives. Engaging with stakeholders and building trust are key components of successful adoption strategies.

What are the key considerations in building an interoperable system?

Key considerations include governance structure, timing and phasing, financing, architecture and technical design, identification mechanisms, user engagement, and capability building. Countries must carefully plan and implement each of these elements to ensure the success of their interoperability initiatives.