Orchestrating Patient Journeys with Healthcare Data in the EHDS

Abstract

Healthcare system fragmentation creates significant barriers to continuity of care globally, particularly when patients transition between care levels or move across national borders. This study examines how the European Health Data Space (EHDS) can support the orchestration of patient journeys through enhanced data utilization and interoperability. The EHDS represents a comprehensive framework for enabling cross-border health data sharing and secondary data use across European Union member states.

Patient journey orchestration requires seamless data flow, standardized care pathways, and robust governance frameworks. The EHDS addresses these needs through MyHealth@EU for primary care delivery and HealthData@EU for secondary data use in research and policymaking. However, implementation faces challenges including legal ambiguity around GDPR compliance, varying digital maturity among EU member states, and varying interpretations of data ownership rights.

The study demonstrates that secondary use of health data enables predictive analytics, personalized interventions, and evidence-based policy development, transforming healthcare toward patient-centered care pathways tailored to individual needs. The research concludes that the EHDS serves as a foundational enabler for patient journey orchestration by providing legal, organizational, and technical infrastructure for interoperable health data use. Success depends on addressing current barriers through coordinated governance, standardized technologies, and sustained investment in digital infrastructure.