From fragmented data to digital healthcare: How far has Serbia progressed?

Abstract

Digital transformation in healthcare is no longer merely a technological issue, but an important prerequisite for improving the quality, safety, and efficiency of healthcare delivery, strengthening resource management, and supporting data-driven decision-making. This paper presents changes in the maturity of Serbia's health information system (HIS) based on two national assessments conducted in 2021 and 2024 using the standardized Health Information Systems Stages of Continuous Improvement (SOCI) tool. The assessment covers five key domains: leadership and governance, management and workforce, information and communication technology, standards and interoperability, and data quality and use. The findings demonstrate substantial progress over a relatively short period. The overall HIS maturity score increased from 1.6 in 2021 to 2.5 in 2024, with improvements observed across all assessed domains. This progress indicates accelerating digital transformation within Serbia's health system, while also showing that the system has not yet reached full functionality, integration, and interoperability. Key challenges remain, including further integration of information systems, strengthening of infrastructure, data standardization, development of digital competencies among healthcare professionals, and systematic use of data in clinical practice, management, and planning. For pharmaceutical practice, the development of an interoperable digital health ecosystem creates opportunities for safer prescribing and medication use, improved insight into patients' pharmacotherapy, better monitoring of outcomes, and more rational use of medicines. Continuous monitoring of HIS maturity therefore represents an important instrument for guiding future digital health policies in Serbia.