What is HL7 FHIR? How REST API revolutionizes medical data interoperability
医療DXの鍵を握る「HL7 FHIR」とは？REST APIがもたらす医療データ連携のイノベーション
Summary
HL7 FHIR, an international standard, utilizes web technologies to simplify complex data exchange between traditional medical systems. The combination of FHIR and REST API accelerates Japanese healthcare DX by enabling faster development and realizing patient-driven health records (PHR).
Details
HL7 FHIR is a next-generation international standard for exchanging medical information. Developed from the realization that previous standards were too specialized, it incorporates modern 'Web world' technologies. FHIR manages medical data in small, independent units called 'Resources,' such as Patient or Observation. This structure allows for precise handling of only the necessary data points. The core engine supporting FHIR's usability is its adoption of the REST API. By utilizing standard HTTP communication (common in web services), operations like Create, Read, Update, and Delete (CRUD) become intuitive. Furthermore, support for lightweight formats like JSON ensures seamless integration with smartphone apps and cloud systems. This combination establishes a 'common language' for medical data. It enables low-cost and rapid data exchange even between electronic health records from different manufacturers, accelerating the realization of Personal Health Records (PHR). This standard is actively being promoted and standardized across Japan.
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