Interoperable Applications & Systems
Interoperability describes the extent to which systems, products, or components can exchange information and, crucially, make meaningful use of it. The “use” of exchanged information is an essential requirement today, as it enables support through software-based systems. Only with such support users are able to efficiently process the ever-growing volume of available data.
In the competence center Medical Engineering & Integrated Healthcare, interoperability of software systems and applications in clinical and care settings is central. Austrian solutions such as the Electronic Health Record (ELGA) for the structured provision of findings and information on medication or vaccinations are key examples. National and international interoperability standards (e.g., IHE, HL7/FHIR) provide a basis for integrating heterogeneous systems.
The focus area encompasses the analysis, design, and evaluation of interoperable information architectures and data flows in health systems, as well as the integration of telemedicine applications (Tele-Health, Tele-Consultation, Telemonitoring) that enable patient-centred care beyond traditional care settings. Public health data spaces such as the European Health Data Space are also a priority, promoting privacy-compliant and standardized use of health data for individual healthcare, research, and health management. In this context, we aim also for integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data analytics into interoperable systems to derive new insights from intelligently linked data, always under consideration of relevant regulatory, normative, and ethical frameworks.
In teaching, interoperability is explicitly addressed: in the Bachelor’s programme Biomedical Engineering, students gain foundational knowledge in medical information processing, telemedicine, and health information systems, for example through specialisations such as Medical Imaging & Data Engineering. In the Master’s programme Medical Engineering & eHealth, courses on information systems, network integration, and the evaluation and selection of interoperability standards as well as planning and implementing regional and national eHealth infrastructures are part of the curriculum.
Current projects
the Competence Center is part of:
Departments involved
Involved research focuses
Contact person in the competence center
Senior Lecturer/Researcher
International Coordinator
