Dependable healthcare service automation: A holistic approach

Abstract

In order to minimize healthcare cost and maximize the utility of the system, healthcare service must be automated in a patient-centric open distributed system that will provide dependable services for all people, in particular the elderly, physically challenged, and those who live in remote areas, at all times. Healthcare providers are often driven by economic factors, whereas patients look for dependable services. In order to promote dependability the creation of healthcare services must be founded on accurate medical knowledge and delivered through certified medical devices and professionals. Hence, it is necessary to integrate Trust determinants of Service Requester with Economic aspects of Service Provider and Medical Knowledge Science aspects of healthcare experts in automating a healthcare system. Motivated by this goal we discuss a holistic approach for developing a dependable service automation system in which the inherent relationships of Trust, Economic principles, and Knowledge are harmoniously integrated.