Health Information Exchange as a Complex and Adaptive Construct: Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Information Systems
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• The definition and scope of Health Information Exchange (HIE) have evolved.
• Understanding this evolution is key to appreciating current healthcare data challenges.
• The technological and policy landscape surrounding HIE has changed dramatically.

Purpose of the Study:

• To trace the historical development of the Health Information Exchange (HIE) concept.
• To analyze the temporal evolution of themes within HIE definitions.
• To provide a historical perspective on HIE's role in healthcare systems.

Main Methods:

• A systematic scoping review of HIE definitions from 1900 to 2014 was conducted.
• Temporal analysis was applied to identify evolving themes in HIE definitions.
• Data from scientific databases and Google searches were analyzed.

Main Results:

• 268 unique HIE definitions were identified, with the term first appearing in 1957.
• Consistent themes (electronic health information exchange) and fluid themes (policy, technology) were identified.
• HIE evolved from early concepts to organizational entities, driven by US policy and interoperability imperatives.

Conclusions:

• Health Information Exchange (HIE) is a dynamic and adaptive concept.
• Its evolution reflects the continuous effort to integrate health information for system improvement.
• HIE's development is intrinsically linked to advancements in technology and policy environments.