The Zachman Framework: An Information System Architecture for DMS

A Disease Management System (DMS) promises patient centered care delivered throughout the course of a disease in an integrated healthcare delivery system. The DMS is a radical departure from traditional modes of care that primarily focus on the caregiver—caretaker relationship. The DMS is not meant to undermine this relationship, but add continuity and intelligence to the ongoing care of patients. Compared to the traditional relationship, a DMS requires more thought, consideration, and planning. An extensive data, information, and knowledge infrastructure is needed that facilitates the operation of the DMS. Yet, such an infrastructure requires a new paradigm for its creation, implementation, and maintenance. We propose the need for an information system architecture in this setting. Others have used the Zachman Framework for Information Systems Architecture (ZFISA) in different industries for this purpose. Whether the ZFISA is chosen is less significant than the need for comprehensive information system modeling of the DMS from numerous perspectives to guarantee that it reaches its potential.