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Review
. 2019 Aug 20:2:79.
doi: 10.1038/s41746-019-0158-1. eCollection 2019.

Why digital medicine depends on interoperability

Moritz Lehne  1 , Julian Sass  1 , Andrea Essenwanger  1 , Josef Schepers  1 , Sylvia Thun  1   2   3
Affiliations
Review

Why digital medicine depends on interoperability

Moritz Lehne et al. NPJ Digit Med. .

Abstract

Digital data are anticipated to transform medicine. However, most of today's medical data lack interoperability: hidden in isolated databases, incompatible systems and proprietary software, the data are difficult to exchange, analyze, and interpret. This slows down medical progress, as technologies that rely on these data - artificial intelligence, big data or mobile applications - cannot be used to their full potential. In this article, we argue that interoperability is a prerequisite for the digital innovations envisioned for future medicine. We focus on four areas where interoperable data and IT systems are particularly important: (1) artificial intelligence and big data; (2) medical communication; (3) research; and (4) international cooperation. We discuss how interoperability can facilitate digital transformation in these areas to improve the health and well-being of patients worldwide.

Keywords: Health care; Health policy.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interestsS.T. is vice chair of HL7 Deutschland e.V. The remaining authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Overview showing how interoperability can improve medicine in the areas of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data, medical communication, research, and international cooperation
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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