The modern context of health care requires a level of awareness that encompasses cultural sensitivity, professional expertise, and close cooperation with the patient. Hence, the notion of interoperability has become extremely relevant in terms of individualized, patient-oriented care. According to Maxhelaku and Kika (2019), “data sharing within patients, hospitals and medical centers and the diversity of healthcare data” is a challenge for healthcare today (p.1). Hence, to combat this issue, it is paramount to ensure both interprofessional and provider-patient collaboration.
One of the most relevant solutions to this issue is interoperability. This concept stands for the ability to automatize data and make sure that this data can be exchanged across various computer software systems. Nowadays, one of the major obstacles to the successful integration of interoperability is the financial inability to create a functioning database of clinical and administrative information about a patient. As a result, many clients are left without proper care and management, as their providers are physically incapable of accessing their medical history and creating an efficient health management plan accounting for the patient’s other physical and mental conditions. According to the researchers, “information sources are distributed, ubiquitous, heterogeneous, large and complex, and the Health Information Systems (HIS) need to communicate in order to share information and to make it available at any place at any time” (Cardoso et al., 2018, p. 1). Such communication can only be achieved through a systematized automated framework of sharing and handling data through a single database.
One of the most common and reasonable solutions to interoperability is implementing an electronic health record (EHR). However, once implemented within a facility, they often display a lack of interoperability between various providers, resulting in a non-cohesive and confusing medical record. In most cases, the providers fail to present quality data and relevant information because they do not realize that the data they provide is crucial for other professionals to create an efficient intervention plan for the patient.
There are many advantages to the implementation of interoperability in the context of healthcare management. The first benefit is an increase in efficiency and productivity for the management team. Indeed, when collaborating with other professionals through a network, the chance of providing quality care increases dramatically. Second, interoperability secures the better quality of data provided, as access to a bigger picture leads to a better understanding of the core issue and possible implications. Third, there are numerous advantages in terms of data management. From a provider’s perspective, interoperability leads to a higher number of insights into health care and potential management outcomes. On the other hand, the consumer obtains access to control and analyze the data through a unified system of medical records.
However, there are some challenges associated with the implementation of interoperability through software. One of the most evident challenges is the issue of security and protection of sensitive data shared through the software. Undeniably, there are many concerns associated with allowing third-party services to access one’s information. However, choosing the right network and EHR vendor nowadays eliminates the risk of security breaches. Hence, having considered the notion of interoperability, it becomes evident that collaboration through software is now vital to provide management and consumers with optimal results regarding functionality and efficiency.
References
Cardoso, L., Marins, F., Quintas, C., Portela, F., Santos, M., Abelha, A., & Machado, J. (2018). Interoperability in healthcare. In Health care delivery and clinical science: Concepts, methodologies, tools, and applications (pp. 689-714). IGI Global.
Maxhelaku, S., & Kika, A. (2019). Improving interoperability in healthcare using Hl7 Fhir. In Proceedings of international academic conferences (No. 9211566). International Institute of Social and Economic Sciences.