Specifying and building interoperable eHealth systems: ODP benefits and lessons learned

This paper describes the experiences of Australia’s National E-Health Transition Authority in using the RM-ODP to address a number of interoperability challenges in Australian eHealth. The RM-ODP viewpoints provide the separation of concerns across a specification, allowing direct support of independent capability levels within an eHealth community. The RM-ODP provides precise architectural expression, including that of business and policy contexts critical for eHealth. This precision is important for a tools-based architectural approach that supports traceability between requirements, design and implementation. The paper identifies some issues encountered while using the RM-ODP, which provide input into further standardisation efforts.

► We use ODP standards as a foundation for an eHealth Interoperability Framework. ► We use ODP Enterprise Language to model complex eHealth environment. ► Two Australian eHealth systems illustrate our modelling approach. ► We suggest updates of UML for ODP standard for better modelling of business services.