Administrative and legal principles of international cooperation between healthcare institutions in Ukraine and Slovakia

Abstract

Purpose. The purpose of the article is to study the managerial-legal and digital-technological foundations of cooperation among healthcare institutions in the context of Ukraine’s European integration, particularly regarding cross-border provision of medical services, the formation of shared databases, digital integration, and the exchange of medical information. Materials and methods. In the course of the research, dialectical, formal-logical, system-analytical, axiological, comparativelegal, and prognostic methods were applied. The source base consists of the founding treaties and legal acts of the EU, the national legislation of Ukraine and Slovakia, as well as scholarly works on the digital transformation of the healthcare system and contemporary studies on the legal regulation of healthcare, medical data exchange, and personal data protection. Results. The research results indicate that the effectiveness of cooperation among healthcare institutions depends on the degree of alignment in legal regulation, the interoperability of digital systems, and the reliability of medical data management. It has been established that the EU legal system provides a solid foundation for developing cross-border patient mobility and the exchange of medical information; however, Ukraine must continue aligning its legislation with the EU acquis to fully participate in these mechanisms. The implementation of unified digital standards such as HL7 FHIR, SNOMED CT, and ICD-10 is a necessary prerequisite for ensuring the compatibility of medical data and the continuity of patient care in the context of cross-border cooperation. It is emphasized that the secure administration of shared medical databases requires strict adherence to the principles of personal data protection, cybersecurity standards, and ethical norms in accordance with the requirements of the GDPR and EHDS. The research results also highlight the significant potential of integrating analytical systems based on artificial intelligence and neuro-fuzzy models for monitoring epidemiological trends, forecasting the workload of healthcare institutions, and optimizing resource allocation in crossborder regions. Such tools can significantly strengthen and enhance the efficiency and adaptability of healthcare systems in crisis situations, particularly during the war in Ukraine and the resulting migration crisis. Conclusions. The paper proposes directions for improving the legal mechanisms and digital infrastructure necessary to establish an integrated European healthcare space. It is substantiated that the implementation of the principles of digital interaction and interoperability will enhance the efficiency of healthcare system management in Ukraine and promote its institutional compatibility with models of good governance in the healthcare sector, ensuring the unity of standards, improvement in the quality of medical services, and legal alignment with EU norms.