The Hidden Tech Behind Whole Person Care: FHIR, Consent, and AI

Whole Person Care (WPC) requires a robust digital backbone to connect clinical, behavioral, and social care securely and efficiently. The hidden heroes? FHIR, computable consent, and AI-ready data.

What Technologies Enable Whole Person Care?

To deliver coordinated, personalized care, health systems must overcome data silos, privacy concerns, and legacy systems. That’s where the following three pillars come in:

1. FHIR: The Data Standard That Makes Sharing Possible

FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources) is the global standard for securely exchanging health information across systems. It allows:

• Real-time data sharing between hospitals, clinics, and community organizations
• Structured access to clinical, behavioral, and social determinants of health (SDOH) data
• Plug-and-play APIs that simplify integration with EHRs, care management tools, and housing databases

Example:

‍California’s Care Everywhere platform and Chicago’s Consent Service Utility both use FHIR to connect data from multiple sources.

2. Computable Consent: The Foundation of Trust

What is computable consent?

‍It’s a digital framework that captures and enforces a person’s permissions for how their sensitive data is shared. The most advanced version of computable consent is currently under development by HL7 FHIR and is in a trial-use phase. This is critical when dealing with:

• Substance use disorder data (regulated by 42 CFR Part 2)
• Behavioral health records
• Housing and social service data

Why It Matters:

• Respects individual preferences (opt in/out of specific data types)
• Enables cross-sector collaboration without violating privacy laws
• Builds trust with vulnerable populations, who may fear misuse of sensitive information

Example:

The Cook County CIE used a FHIR-based Consent Service Utility that allowed patients to control which parts of their record could be shared across housing, healthcare, and behavioral systems.

3. AI & Automation: From Reactive to Proactive Care

AI tools power the shift from episodic treatment to preventive, personalized care by:

• Extracting SDOH from clinical notes (e.g., food insecurity, unsafe housing)
• Predicting high-risk individuals using federated learning, without violating HIPAA
• Triggering care team alerts when someone enters the ER or misses appointments
• Reducing provider burnout by automating documentation and triage

Example:

‍The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)’s Whole Health System used AI to tailor personal health plans aligned with veterans’ life goals, helping save $4,500+ per veteran annually.

How Do These Technologies Work Together?

Technology & Role in WPC

• ‍FHIR - Enables structured, secure data exchange
• ‍Computable Consent - Manages patient privacy and sharing rules
• ‍AI Tools - Powers automation, risk stratification, and insight generation

Together, they create a scalable digital ecosystem that supports holistic, human-centered care.

Challenges in WPC Tech Implementation

• Privacy laws like HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2 are often interpreted too conservatively.
• Siloed data systems (e.g., EHRs vs. Homeless Management Information Systems)
• Low digital maturity in community-based organizations
• Staff burnout and training gaps for new tools

FAQ: Technology and Whole Person Care

Q: Is FHIR secure enough for sensitive health data?
Yes.  FHIR is built with secure authorization and access layers and supports granular sharing preferences when used with computable consent tools.

Q: How is AI used without violating HIPAA?
AI can be deployed using federated learning, which trains algorithms on local data without moving it, preserving privacy.

Q: What is computable consent vs. written consent?
Computable consent is machine-readable and enforceable in real-time, enabling systems to automatically comply with patient preferences.

Technology Makes Whole Person Care Possible

WPC isn't just a philosophy; it’s a system that requires standards, infrastructure, and trust. FHIR enables interoperability. Consent enforces ethics. AI fuels smart, proactive decisions.

Without these tools, whole person care remains an ideal. With them, it becomes a reality.

Want to Explore Consent-Centric Infrastructure for Whole Person Care?
Download our white paper or contact IDENTOS to learn how we enable ethical, scalable WPC systems with FHIR and consent at the core.

Read More:

• What is Whole Person Care and Why is it the Future of Healthcare?

• How the VA Saved $4,500 Per Veteran with Whole Health

• Why Affordable Housing is a Health Priority, Not Just a Policy Issue

• Read our whitepaper on Whole Person Care