BMJ  2005;331:1325-1327 (3 December), doi:10.1136/bmj.331.7528.1325

Clinical review

ABC of health informatics

Communication and navigation around the healthcare system

Jeremy C Wyatt, professor of health informatics, Frank Sullivan, NHS Tayside professor of research and development in general practice and primary care

University of Dundee.

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Introduction

However good a doctor's clinical skills, record keeping abilities, and mastery of evidence, before they can start work they need directory information. This is the information patients and professionals use to find their way around the healthcare system. Different grades of staff have different demands for this information, and all staff are often interrupted by colleagues' requests for this information.


Figure Removed (Available Only in the Full Text)
 A hospital switchboard in 1995—shows the operators' directory and temporary notes. With permission from Martin Loach

 


You are a general practice locum and need to fix an outpatient assessment for Mrs Smith's bronchitis. The receptionist mentions that before you organise the assessment you need to book certain tests that vary according to which chest physician you refer Mrs Smith to. The receptionist does not know the names of local chest physicians nor their investigation preferences. You spend 15 minutes trying to call the chest clinic in the nearest . . . [Full text of this article]


Directory information

Communication

Collecting and using directory information

Assembling, maintaining, and accessing directory information

Summary


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