Using Object Oriented Technologies to Build Collaborative Applications in Healthcare and Medical Information Systems

Abstract

The adoption and diffusion of e-health and the application of IT in healthcare is increasing at a rapid rate. Both European and U.S. governments are making e-health a priority on their agendas. The technical infrastructure required to support initiatives such as community healthcare integrated networks (CHINs) and telemedicine efforts is often dependent upon connecting different types of computer networks, each running on different types of technologies so as to present to the user the image of a single virtual electronic health highway. It is generally agreed that current software development technology cannot deliver this due to limitations of restricted scalability, fragmented management, and inflexibility in providing business support. One of the potential solutions may be the use of Object Oriented (OO) technology. This article explores the feasibility of combining OO technologies with healthcare based workflow management systems (WFMS). We introduce the concept of workflow technologies and discuss the main advantages and limitations of WFMS. We detail the circumstances in which the use of WFMS could be considered and the technological factors necessary for its successful implementation.

Key Terms in this Chapter

Telemedicine: The aiding of medical support from a distance via technology.

Object Oriented (OO) Technology: Technologies that support/utilise object oriented programming.

CHINs: Community healthcare integrated networks.

Workflow Management System (WFMS): Systems that support effective and efficient workflow.

E-Health: The use of Internet-based technologies to facilitate healthcare delivery.