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A biological result available in the laboratory software but not in the doctor's. A hospital report received as a PDF that must be opened, read, and then sometimes re-entered. Information already known to one professional that the patient has to repeat to another.
These situations remain common in healthcare pathways. Yet they have one thing in common: the information exists, but the systems containing it do not always communicate sufficiently with each other. This is precisely the problem that health interoperability addresses.
As clinics, hospitals, laboratories, and patients use more digital tools, it is becoming one of the essential conditions for this digitisation to truly save time and improve care coordination.
What is health interoperability?
Health interoperability refers to the ability of multiple computer systems to exchange information, understand it, and be able to reuse it without requiring manual re-entry.
In France, the Agence du Numérique en Santé (Digital Health Agency) notably defines the Cadre d’Interopérabilité des Systèmes d’Information de Santé, or CI-SIS (Interoperability Framework for Health Information Systems), which sets the rules allowing health, medico-social, and social care actors to exchange and share health data. (1)
In a perfectly interoperable system, the result produced by a laboratory is associated with the right patient, transmitted securely, read by the doctor's software, and integrated into the file without re-entry. Interoperability therefore allows information to follow the patient, rather than forcing professionals to search for or reproduce it at every stage.
A biological result available in the laboratory software but not in the doctor's. A hospital report received as a PDF that must be opened, read, and then sometimes re-entered. Information already known to one professional that the patient has to repeat to another.
These situations remain common in healthcare pathways. Yet they have one thing in common: the information exists, but the systems containing it do not always communicate sufficiently with each other. This is precisely the problem that health interoperability addresses.
As clinics, hospitals, laboratories, and patients use more digital tools, it is becoming one of the essential conditions for this digitisation to truly save time and improve care coordination.
What is health interoperability?
Health interoperability refers to the ability of multiple computer systems to exchange information, understand it, and be able to reuse it without requiring manual re-entry.
In France, the Agence du Numérique en Santé (Digital Health Agency) notably defines the Cadre d’Interopérabilité des Systèmes d’Information de Santé, or CI-SIS (Interoperability Framework for Health Information Systems), which sets the rules allowing health, medico-social, and social care actors to exchange and share health data. (1)
In a perfectly interoperable system, the result produced by a laboratory is associated with the right patient, transmitted securely, read by the doctor's software, and integrated into the file without re-entry. Interoperability therefore allows information to follow the patient, rather than forcing professionals to search for or reproduce it at every stage.
Two essential dimensions: exchanging and understanding
For two software programs to be truly interoperable, it is not enough for them to be able to send each other a file. They must also understand what it contains.
Technical interoperability
It allows two systems to connect and transmit information to each other. It concerns the formats used, the interfaces, the exchange protocols, the identification mechanisms and the security of transmissions. Simply put: the two software programs must be able to speak to each other.
Semantic interoperability
It goes further. Two systems must understand the exchanged data in the same way. If a software transmits an allergy, a treatment or a blood pressure measurement, the system receiving the information must know what type of information it is, which patient it belongs to, how it is coded, what unit is used and how it can be integrated. The systems must therefore speak the same language.
Why has interoperability become so important?
A patient's healthcare journey rarely involves a single tool: general practitioner's software, specialist's file, hospital system, laboratory, imaging center, pharmacy, teleconsultation, appointment booking, medical application, My Health Space (Mon espace santé) or DMP (Shared Medical File). Without interoperability, these different building blocks function as separate digital islands.
Two essential dimensions: exchanging and understanding
For two software programs to be truly interoperable, it is not enough for them to be able to send each other a file. They must also understand what it contains.
Technical interoperability
It allows two systems to connect and transmit information to each other. It concerns the formats used, the interfaces, the exchange protocols, the identification mechanisms and the security of transmissions. Simply put: the two software programs must be able to speak to each other.
Semantic interoperability
It goes further. Two systems must understand the exchanged data in the same way. If a software transmits an allergy, a treatment or a blood pressure measurement, the system receiving the information must know what type of information it is, which patient it belongs to, how it is coded, what unit is used and how it can be integrated. The systems must therefore speak the same language.
Why has interoperability become so important?
A patient's healthcare journey rarely involves a single tool: general practitioner's software, specialist's file, hospital system, laboratory, imaging center, pharmacy, teleconsultation, appointment booking, medical application, My Health Space (Mon espace santé) or DMP (Shared Medical File). Without interoperability, these different building blocks function as separate digital islands.
A matter of medical time
When data flows automatically, certain actions become unnecessary: searching for a document, downloading and then importing a file, copying a treatment, re-entering a result, or manually sending information that is already available. Repeated dozens of times a day, these few minutes can represent a significant burden.
The French Digital Health Agency (Agence du Numérique en Santé) highlights that the CI-SIS makes it possible to avoid developing a different interface for each system with which software needs to communicate, reducing costs and technical integration difficulties. (1)
A matter of continuity of care
When a patient is hospitalised and then returns to their GP, a hospital discharge summary, discharge prescriptions, or certain results can be available much more quickly in their digital care pathway if systems communicate properly.
This logic is at the heart of the Shared Medical Record (DMP) and "Mon espace santé". In January 2026, over 24 million "Mon espace santé" profiles were activated and nearly 420 million health documents had been uploaded within a year. Around one in two health documents produced by professionals was deposited there at that time. (2)
A few concrete examples of interoperability in healthcare
Example 1: a laboratory result
The laboratory produces a biological result.
Rather than sending only a PDF that the doctor will have to open, certain data can be sent in a structured format and directly linked to the patient's record.
This allows the professional to access the information more quickly and, depending on the tools, track the evolution of certain values over time.
Example 2: Mon espace santé and the DMP
Medical software approved under the Ségur numérique scheme can automatically populate the DMP with certain documents produced during patient care.
The patient then finds these documents in "Mon espace santé", while authorised professionals can consult them under the established conditions.
👉 The objective is to prevent each actor from keeping only their own version of the patient journey.
A matter of medical time
When data flows automatically, certain actions become unnecessary: searching for a document, downloading and then importing a file, copying a treatment, re-entering a result, or manually sending information that is already available. Repeated dozens of times a day, these few minutes can represent a significant burden.
The French Digital Health Agency (Agence du Numérique en Santé) highlights that the CI-SIS makes it possible to avoid developing a different interface for each system with which software needs to communicate, reducing costs and technical integration difficulties. (1)
A matter of continuity of care
When a patient is hospitalised and then returns to their GP, a hospital discharge summary, discharge prescriptions, or certain results can be available much more quickly in their digital care pathway if systems communicate properly.
This logic is at the heart of the Shared Medical Record (DMP) and "Mon espace santé". In January 2026, over 24 million "Mon espace santé" profiles were activated and nearly 420 million health documents had been uploaded within a year. Around one in two health documents produced by professionals was deposited there at that time. (2)
A few concrete examples of interoperability in healthcare
Example 1: a laboratory result
The laboratory produces a biological result.
Rather than sending only a PDF that the doctor will have to open, certain data can be sent in a structured format and directly linked to the patient's record.
This allows the professional to access the information more quickly and, depending on the tools, track the evolution of certain values over time.
Example 2: Mon espace santé and the DMP
Medical software approved under the Ségur numérique scheme can automatically populate the DMP with certain documents produced during patient care.
The patient then finds these documents in "Mon espace santé", while authorised professionals can consult them under the established conditions.
👉 The objective is to prevent each actor from keeping only their own version of the patient journey.
Example 3: MSSanté secure messaging
MSSanté allows authorised professionals to exchange health data in a secure environment. Integrating it directly into business software avoids multiplying the tools or actions required to transmit information. (3)
Example 4: preparing a consultation
Let us now take the case of a pre-consultation tool.
The patient books an appointment. This information can automatically trigger the sending of a smart medical questionnaire tailored to their situation.
The patient fills in their information.
The summary can then be transmitted to the software used by the professional so that it is available at the time of the consultation.
👉 Without interoperability, the doctor would have to log into a new tool to find the information.
👉 With good integration, the information arrives directly in their usual environment.
This is particularly important for new digital medical assistants: the goal is not to add an extra screen to the practice, but to fit into the pathway and software already in use.
Discover the results of the 2026 Aldebaran Barometer on the use of pre-consultation medical assistants.
Which standards allow software to communicate?
The CI-SIS
The Interoperability Framework for Healthcare Information Systems is one of the main French references. It defines common specifications to enable the exchange and sharing of health data.
HL7 FHIR
FHIR, standing for Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources, is an international standard for representing and exchanging health data in a structured manner. The French Digital Health Agency (Agence du Numérique en Santé) plans to gradually transition the CI-SIS components towards FHIR; the European Health Data Space also envisages its use for several major data categories. (4)
DICOM and identity registries
DICOM is widely used for medical imaging. In France, the National Health Identity (INS) for patients and the RPPS for professionals help to secure the association of information with the right person and the right professional.
Example 3: MSSanté secure messaging
MSSanté allows authorised professionals to exchange health data in a secure environment. Integrating it directly into business software avoids multiplying the tools or actions required to transmit information. (3)
Example 4: preparing a consultation
Let us now take the case of a pre-consultation tool.
The patient books an appointment. This information can automatically trigger the sending of a smart medical questionnaire tailored to their situation.
The patient fills in their information.
The summary can then be transmitted to the software used by the professional so that it is available at the time of the consultation.
👉 Without interoperability, the doctor would have to log into a new tool to find the information.
👉 With good integration, the information arrives directly in their usual environment.
This is particularly important for new digital medical assistants: the goal is not to add an extra screen to the practice, but to fit into the pathway and software already in use.
Discover the results of the 2026 Aldebaran Barometer on the use of pre-consultation medical assistants.
Which standards allow software to communicate?
The CI-SIS
The Interoperability Framework for Healthcare Information Systems is one of the main French references. It defines common specifications to enable the exchange and sharing of health data.
HL7 FHIR
FHIR, standing for Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources, is an international standard for representing and exchanging health data in a structured manner. The French Digital Health Agency (Agence du Numérique en Santé) plans to gradually transition the CI-SIS components towards FHIR; the European Health Data Space also envisages its use for several major data categories. (4)
DICOM and identity registries
DICOM is widely used for medical imaging. In France, the National Health Identity (INS) for patients and the RPPS for professionals help to secure the association of information with the right person and the right professional.
Interoperability does not mean open access to data
Increasing the flow of health data does not mean that everyone should be able to access it. Interoperability must be associated with strict rules regarding user identification, access rights, traceability, confidentiality, security of exchanges, information and, when required, patient consent.
The challenge therefore lies in making the information available to the right person, at the right time and in the right context, not making it accessible without control.
Where does France stand in 2026?
Interoperability has long been one of the major weak points of digital health. However, the situation is changing rapidly. Around 70% of healthcare facilities and professionals now have interoperable software allowing them to easily and systematically transmit certain key documents as part of the Ségur numérique. (5)
The 2026 digital health doctrine continues this trajectory: generalisation of common standards, evolution of the CI-SIS, development of FHIR, increasing integration of Mon espace santé, continued deployment of MSSanté, digital prescription, sharing of medical imaging and preparation for the European Health Data Space. (6)
Interoperability does not mean open access to data
Increasing the flow of health data does not mean that everyone should be able to access it. Interoperability must be associated with strict rules regarding user identification, access rights, traceability, confidentiality, security of exchanges, information and, when required, patient consent.
The challenge therefore lies in making the information available to the right person, at the right time and in the right context, not making it accessible without control.
Where does France stand in 2026?
Interoperability has long been one of the major weak points of digital health. However, the situation is changing rapidly. Around 70% of healthcare facilities and professionals now have interoperable software allowing them to easily and systematically transmit certain key documents as part of the Ségur numérique. (5)
The 2026 digital health doctrine continues this trajectory: generalisation of common standards, evolution of the CI-SIS, development of FHIR, increasing integration of Mon espace santé, continued deployment of MSSanté, digital prescription, sharing of medical imaging and preparation for the European Health Data Space. (6)
Interoperability is also becoming essential for artificial intelligence
A medical AI can perform exceptionally well in its function. However, if the professional has to log in to an additional platform, manually search for the patient, copy the information from their software, launch the tool, and then copy the result back into their file, the gain provided by the artificial intelligence is likely to be partially lost.
AI should ideally integrate into existing workflows. At Aldebaran, the objective is for the preparation completed by the patient beforehand to fit into the pathway already used by the professional: triggered by the appointment, patient preparation, generation of a summary, and then integration of the information into the physician's environment.
👉 To learn more about how AI is progressively integrating into medical practice, also discover our article "Medical AI in France: uses, promises and limitations".
Conclusion
The digital transformation of healthcare is not simply about multiplying software. To be truly useful, digital technology must allow information to flow more easily throughout the patient journey.
Interoperability reduces duplicate data entry, facilitates care coordination, improves access to information, and better integrates new digital solutions into the daily routine of professionals. As the number of tools and data increases, the challenge becomes ensuring that all these building blocks can work together to serve the professional and the patient.
Interoperability is also becoming essential for artificial intelligence
A medical AI can perform exceptionally well in its function. However, if the professional has to log in to an additional platform, manually search for the patient, copy the information from their software, launch the tool, and then copy the result back into their file, the gain provided by the artificial intelligence is likely to be partially lost.
AI should ideally integrate into existing workflows. At Aldebaran, the objective is for the preparation completed by the patient beforehand to fit into the pathway already used by the professional: triggered by the appointment, patient preparation, generation of a summary, and then integration of the information into the physician's environment.
👉 To learn more about how AI is progressively integrating into medical practice, also discover our article "Medical AI in France: uses, promises and limitations".
Conclusion
The digital transformation of healthcare is not simply about multiplying software. To be truly useful, digital technology must allow information to flow more easily throughout the patient journey.
Interoperability reduces duplicate data entry, facilitates care coordination, improves access to information, and better integrates new digital solutions into the daily routine of professionals. As the number of tools and data increases, the challenge becomes ensuring that all these building blocks can work together to serve the professional and the patient.
Sources of the article
(1) Agence du Numérique en Santé — Interoperability framework for health information systems (CI-SIS)
(2) Agence du Numérique en Santé — Mon espace santé: from medical records to personalized prevention
(3) Agence du Numérique en Santé — Exchanging health data securely with MSSanté
(4) Agence du Numérique en Santé — Doctrine on interoperability
(5) Agence du Numérique en Santé — Sharing and exchanging health data: key figures / Ségur numérique
(6) Agence du Numérique en Santé — Digital Health Doctrine 2026
FAQ
What is healthcare interoperability?
What is the difference between integration and interoperability?
What is the CI-SIS?
What is FHIR?
Why is interoperability important for doctors?
Does interoperability mean that all medical data is accessible to everyone?
Why is interoperability important for medical AI?
FAQ
What is healthcare interoperability?
What is the difference between integration and interoperability?
What is the CI-SIS?
What is FHIR?
Why is interoperability important for doctors?
Does interoperability mean that all medical data is accessible to everyone?
Why is interoperability important for medical AI?
FAQ
What is healthcare interoperability?
What is the difference between integration and interoperability?
What is the CI-SIS?
What is FHIR?
Why is interoperability important for doctors?
Does interoperability mean that all medical data is accessible to everyone?
Why is interoperability important for medical AI?
