Keeping your health on record-ISO/TC 215, Health Informatics, sets out its aims

摘要

Two years after being elected Chairman of ISO/TC 215, Health informatics, seems to me an appropriate timespan for taking stock, to look back on what the committee was set up to do, has done, is doing, and is intending to do.My formal qualifications in engineering, economics and computing assist my understanding of the significant leverage that improvements in health sector efficiency and effectiveness can play in many ISO Members' countries economies, as in most developed countries the health sector represents 8 to 14 percent of the GDP (Gross Domestic Product).Although there is very intensive use of information in healthcare, there is relatively little use made of information technology, and the lack of health informatics standards is seen as an important contributing factor.We need, therefore, to consider how we can improve the situation.