Interoperability In Healthcare: A Focus On The Social Interoperability

Context: Now a days Information technology has become a part of health-care delivery this makes life much easier for patients and health-care professionals. The increase in demand for communication among the different health information systems and health professionals has made interoperability complex and whereas interoperability is mainly focused at semantic and technical levels of communication. Yet, the social interoperability, an important part of communication between computerized systems and health professionals, is overlooked. Obje ctive s: In this study we explore the differences between interoperability and social interoperability. Furthermore investigate the social interoperability in practice and the problems that affect the health-care. Methods: We start with the literature survey to learn the definitions of interoperability and social interoperability. Later, case study approach is carried out to investigate the social interoperability in Interoperability. Interviews were also conducted as part of the observations in cases. Re sults: The similarities and differences in definitions of interoperability and social interoperability are sorted out from the literature study. Five cases have been investigated to identify the social interoperability in practice. Analyses of these cases have identified some of the major problems for health information systems that do not meet social interoperability. Conclusions: Interoperability definitions agree that interoperability is undoubtedly important for health data communication, but their goals in achieving interoperability is concerned only about computerized systems and very less focused on social interoperability. The case studies are used to find out the social communication using in health information systems. We realize that the communication between the users and the information systems are quite complex. The developed systems are witnessing the usability difficulties to the health-care providers that affect the patient care.