What is a common format for sharing health data internationally?

The Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) is a standard specifically designed to facilitate the exchange of healthcare information electronically across different systems regardless of their underlying technology. FHIR combines the best features of HL7 standards with the latest web technologies, making it simpler and more adaptable for developers. It is designed to enable health data sharing in a way that is easy to implement, making it a popular choice for international health data exchange.

FHIR's resource-based approach allows for the exchange of specific data elements rather than entire documents, reducing complexity and making it more efficient for both developers and users. This flexibility is particularly critical in an increasingly globalized healthcare environment where interoperability of health data from diverse sources is essential.

While Health Level Seven (HL7) has been an established standard for many years, it tends to be more complex and less user-friendly than FHIR. Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) specializes in medical imaging rather than broader health data sharing, and a Private Health Information Exchange (PHIX) refers to private networks for sharing health information, which are not standardized for international data exchange. This distinguishes FHIR as the more relevant and effective option for facilitating international health data sharing.