The Mediation Effect of the Semantic Layer on the Relationship between Technical and Information Infrastructure with e-health Interoperability in Ugandan Public Hospitals

Abstract

eHealth Interoperability appears to be in its infancy in developing countries including Uganda. The study investigated the Semantic Layer as the mediator on the relationship between Technical and Information Infrastructure with eHealth interoperability in Ugandan Public Hospitals using a quantitative approach. Stratified and simple random sampling were used to select respondents. The study used descriptive statistics and structural equation modelling approach for data analysis. The findings further revealed that all hypotheses, H1, H2, and H3, significantly explained eHealth Interoperability in Ugandan Public Hospitals. Thus, all the objectives of the study (Objective 1 and 2) were achieved. It is recommended that stakeholders implementing eHealth Interoperability should consider Technical and Information Infrastructure, and Semantic Layer as key factors explaining eHealth Interoperability in Ugandan Public Hospitals. The study further recommends that software developers should adopt Semantic Layer to improve information exchange in Ugandan Public Hospitals. Further, the Ugandan government should adopt key factors of eHealth Interoperability proposed in this study to achieve sustainable development goals and Uganda Vision 2040 goals.