Nationwide Health Information Network Architecture in the United States and the United Kingdom: Solutions for Developing Countries

Abstract

Introduction The National Health Information Network (NHIN) is a network through which all healthcare providers exchange health information. Since the architecture of such a network is one of the most important factors involved in the design of NHIN; this study aimed to explore the experiences of leading countries in the development of NHIN architecture and providing solutions to developing countries. Materials and Methods In this descriptive-comparative study, the nationwide health information networks of the United States and the United Kingdom were reviewed. A researcher-made checklist was used to collect information. Then, according to the aspects of NHIN architecture, the NHIN documents of the countries under study were analyzed and the findings were presented in comparative tables. Results The NHIN architecture in the US, which involves connecting regional health information networks, had a bottom-up approach. The network N3 of the National Health Information Technology Program of the UK with a centralized structure had a top-down approach. Conclusion Each of the approaches used in the NHIN architecture in the studied countries has advantages and disadvantages. Developing countries should use one of these approaches or a combination of them to design the NHIN architecture, given the centralization or decentralization of their health systems.

Keywords

• nationwide health information network
• national health information system
• health information systems
• health information exchange