Application of Enterprise Architecture to Guide the Integration of Health Information Systems in Namibia

Namibia is characterized by a fragmented health-care system that has led to data inconsistencies and duplication of efforts. It has also become costly to health-care institutions to maintain these fragmented, standalone systems. This study examined how enterprise architecture (EA) can be applied to guide the integration of health information systems (HISs) in the Namibian health-care context. A qualitative approach was applied to collect data from two cases using semi structured interviews and an interpretive approach in the analysis. From the analysis, the constructs of requirements clarity, information systems and technology (IS/T) project management, systems documentation, and communication were discovered to influence the development and integration of HISs. Applying these constructs, the study developed an EA guide for the development and integration of HISs. The study recommends that future studies consider developing similar architecture using a quantitative approach and possibly validating the developed guide using a quantitative approach.