Data Systems in Mental Health

The proper utilization of data information systems in mental health care can noticeably improve the quality and efficacy of such care. The World Health Organization is in a key position to encourage and assist governments in achieving the fullest possible application of knowledge in the development and utilization of such systems to the benefit of the greatest numbers of the world’s population.

This paper briefly delineates some of the common information needs of the providers of mental health care, discusses the feasibility of automated data systems, and describes some already existing psychiatric information systems. Finally, it proposes ways and means by which the WHO can more efficiently aid its member nations by coordinating efforts in establishing mental health information systems. Recommendations include establishment of an information clearinghouse on data systems, a group coordinating dissemination of this information, a common pool of specialists in the area, and development of regional computing facilities under the auspices of the WHO.

Die richtige Anwendung von Daten-Informationssystemen im psychiatrischen Gesundheitsdienst kann die Qualität und Wirksamkeit dieses Dienstes erheblich verbessern. Die Weltgesundheitsorganisation befindet sich in einer Schlüsselstellung, die es ihr ermöglicht, die Regierungen bei ihrer Aufgabe zu ermutigen und zu unterstützen, die bestmögliche Anwendung des Wissens bei der Entwicklung und Nutzbarmachung derartiger Systeme zugunsten einer mögliehst großen Anzahl von Erdbewohnernzu erreichen.

In dieser Arbeit wird der gemeinsame Informationsbedarf derjenigen kurz umrissen, die den psychiatrischen Gesundheitsdienst stellen. Die Machbarkeit automatisierter Datensysteme wird erörtert, und einige bereits existierende psychiatrische Informationssysteme werden beschrieben. Letztlich werden Mittel und Wege aufgezeigt, wie die WHO ihren Mitgliedsstaaten durch Koordinierung der Bemühungen um die Entwicklung von psychiatrischen Informationssystemen besser behilflich sein kann. Empfohlen wird u.a. die Einrichtung eines »Clearing-House« über Datensysteme, einer Gruppe zur Verbreitung dieser Information, eines Sammelpunktes für Spezialisten auf diesem Gebiet sowie die Entwicklung regionaler Computereinrichtungen unter der Schirmherrschaft der WHO.

Keywords

Psychiatric Data Collection - Information Systems - Mental Health Care - Privacy and Confidentiality

Schlüsselwörter

Erfassung psychiatrischer Daten - Informationssysteme - psychiatrische Datenbanken - Datenschutz

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