Analyzing the Progress of Interoperability Frameworks in Enabling Seamless Data Exchange across Healthcare Systems in the US and Australia

Generally, the interoperable health information exchange is very paramount for clinicians to have access to the timely and relevant patient health records. However, the progress of interoperability frameworks has been left unanswered while there has been significant investment into these frameworks. Thus, this study seeks to compare the progress of interoperability frameworks in seamless data exchange across healthcare systems in the US and Australia. The study adopts the systematic review design, which involves the use of structured and scientific approach to the review of literature using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA). The study showed that the US, in comparison to Australia, has a fragmented healthcare system with varying levels of interoperability across states and institutions. While the interoperability system in Australia is centralized, it is still faced with some challenges. Some of these challenges include underutilization of existing resources due to administrative burdens and privacy laws. It was revealed that healthcare centres in the US rely on multiple proprietary systems as their interoperability frameworks. Meanwhile, interoperability in healthcare centers in Australia is often faced with the challenge of fragmentation as a result of clinical decision support systems (CDSS). The study concludes that both countries – the US and Australia – are faced with significant interoperability challenges. While the US struggles with regulatory fragmentation, Australia contends with policy misalignment and vendor control. Thus, it is recommended that future frameworks should concentrate on regulatory consistency, national alignment, and leveraging emerging technologies like blockchain technology for enhanced healthcare data exchange. Keywords: Interoperability, data exchange, Australia, the United States, blockchain technology