Chapter One — 1.1 Background to the Study

The rapid evolution of Microservices Architecture has transformed the way organizations design, deploy, and manage electronic health records. As institutions seek to modernize legacy processes, Microservices Architecture offers new opportunities to improve service delivery, reduce manual overhead, and respond more effectively to user needs.

Despite this potential, many existing electronic health records were not originally designed with microservices architecture in mind, resulting in persistent gaps in regulatory compliance that limit their overall effectiveness. This study examines how Microservices Architecture can be applied to help close that gap.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Existing approaches to regulatory compliance within electronic health records remain largely reactive and fragmented, with little systematic use of microservices architecture despite its demonstrated value elsewhere. This study addresses the resulting gap by designing and evaluating a solution built specifically around microservices architecture.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

1. To design and implement a microservices architecture-based approach to improving regulatory compliance in electronic health records.
2. To evaluate the effectiveness of Microservices Architecture in enhancing regulatory compliance within electronic health records.
3. To identify the key requirements and constraints relevant to deploying microservices architecture in this context.
4. To assess user and stakeholder perception of the resulting system.

1.4 Research Questions

1. How can microservices architecture be applied to improve regulatory compliance in electronic health records?
2. How effective is Microservices Architecture at enhancing regulatory compliance within electronic health records?
3. What requirements and constraints are relevant to deploying microservices architecture in this context?
4. How do users and stakeholders perceive the resulting system?

1.5 Significance of the Study

Beyond its immediate technical contribution, this study offers value to organizations evaluating whether to invest in microservices architecture for their own electronic health records, and contributes to the broader literature on applied software technology / IT by documenting a concrete implementation and evaluation case.

1.6 Scope of the Study

As a study of this kind, its scope is confined to designing and evaluating a microservices architecture-based solution for electronic health records, focused specifically on regulatory compliance; broader deployment considerations fall outside this scope.