New Trends in Healthcare Information Systems (HIS) Integration

Abstract

The aim of this chapter is to introduce Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) governance as a paradigm to integrate Healthcare Information Systems (HIS) and e-health services. Healthcare professionals, patients, policymakers, and business partners increasingly require the utilization and enhancement of e-health services at a global scale. However, traditional approaches to integrate services in Healthcare Information Systems expose issues of concern like complexity, resistance to change, and organisational issues. On the other hand, SOA assures an environment of cooperating services where application services are interwoven within old and new applications. Nevertheless, SOA’s nature to extend beyond the technical infrastructure to organization and human elements requires governance mechanisms to excel. SOA governance is a new research area that has the potential to assist in HIS integration. This chapter presents SOA governance aspect in a healthcare perspective and provides useful insights of an emerging issue.

Key Terms in this Chapter

SOA: An architectural paradigm to built ecosystems of services.

HIS: Information systems designed to facilitate healthcare services.

SOA Governance: Important mechanisms that ensure the reliable long-term operation of an SOA.

HIS Interoperability: The ability of HIS to work together and exchange information.

HIS Integration: The alignment of HIS in an interoperable environment.

Medical Tourism and Global Healthcare: The rapidly growing practice of travelling across international borders to obtain healthcare services.