A framework for implementing cloud computing for record sharing and accessing in the Ghanaian healthcare sector

Abstract

Recent technology has made it possible for many people to have access to the Internet, thereby increasing the sharing of data among individuals or groups. But accessing of patient records by the patients and sharing of patient records amongst different stakeholders still needs more room for improvement. Even though there are a lot of Patient Care Information Systems (PCISs) and Computerised Provider Order Entry (CPOE) systems, these systems have not provided sufficient platforms for both patients and stakeholders to judiciously have access and share the records of the patients. A patient's medical record is one of the essential resources for enabling prompt and accurate diagnoses of the patient. Unavailability of such records can sometimes delay or prevent the patient from getting the right diagnosis. These problems can lead to death or the patient contracting other diseases. In this paper, we use a design science approach to propose a cloud computing framework where patients' records can be shared and accessed by those who sign up to the system with strict authorisation from the patient.