Volume 22, No.1, 2025
Healthcare EA Framework Showdown: Weighing Benefits And Drawbacks
Amith Kumar Reddy , Ashok Kumar Pamidi Venkata , Ashok Kumar Reddy Sadhu , Sai Ganesh Reddy Bojja , Subrahmanyasarma Chitta
Abstract
We consider the benefits and drawbacks of healthcare-specific EA models. Healthcare systems become complex by the integration of technical, operational, and regulatory aspects; so, corporate design has to cover organizational strategy and IT infrastructure. This paper looks at how EA follows healthcare policies, improves data sharing, and maximizes operations. We support enterprise architecture frameworks tailored to healthcare. Protecting patient data (HIPAA), offering high system availability, evaluating real-time data for clinical decision-making, and tying electronic health records and health information systems together define healthcare-specific enterprise architecture frameworks. Tight rules demand that healthcare architectures offer security and compliance all through system design and operation. Development of TOGAF, the Zachman Framework, FEAF, and HEA was driven toward these goals. We look at the framework architecture, approaches, and uses inside the healthcare system. The paper contrasts general-purpose and healthcare-specific enterprise architecture models. Scalability and enterprise architectural management approach of TOGAF make it appealing in many different fields. Its application is limited in critical care by the lack of healthcare compliance and real-time data processing. Across systems, HEA frameworks support HIE integration, clinical workflow management, and system-wide care coordination. Complex, multi-tiered healthcare systems have benefits and drawbacks in scalability and interoperability models. Share of patient safety data and care coordination depend on interoperability. HL7 /FHIR We examine the acceptance for the EA framework. While rigid solutions without participation in healthcare standards are unsuccessful, clearly defined architectural layers and service-oriented approaches help to promote interoperability. Healthcare needs scalability as data from digital health technologies, wearables, and IoT-enabled medical equipment grows. We evaluate each framework's scalability, benefits and drawbacks for both small and large healthcare companies. Help with regulatory compliance for the framework is absolutely vital. Healthcare companies in the United States and Europe are affected by HIPAA, GDPR, several data protection and cybersecurity laws. For regulatory compliance, enterprise architecture systems encourage data security, auditing, and traceability of system changes. Healthcare law is shaped by delivery strategies and technological developments. A research indicates that EA frameworks help to enable digital transformation and healthcare innovation. Blockchain, artificial intelligence, and machine learning all combined in healthcare call for quick adaption of an enterprise architecture framework. According to the research, new technologies are added without affecting operational efficiency or data integrity. According to studies, certain frameworks help to facilitate quick and iterative development in the often changing healthcare sector. HierarchicalEA systems could stifle creativity. Case studies show different sized and complex healthcare companies with varying levels of enterprise architecture. The following medical facilities changed their structures to meet goals and handle implementation difficulties: According to the paper, the chosen framework depends on the needs of the company, scale, and strategic goals; so, no one paradigm solves all problems related to healthcare enterprise architecture. This paper investigates, objectively, healthcare-specific EA frameworks and their trade-offs for architects, IT professionals, and healthcare companies. Studies on healthcare enterprise architecture look at scalability, regulatory compliance, interoperability, and support of innovation. Following this advice helps healthcare companies improve their IT setup for modern service delivery.
Pages: 1-25
Keywords: Zachman Framework, interoperability, Healthcare Enterprise Architecture, patient data privacy, TOGAF, digital transformation, enterprise architecture, regulatory compliance, healthcare systems, scalability.