From clinical guidelines to decision support

Abstract

Medical Informatics applies computer-based technologies to several aspects of medicine, including clinical practice, research and education. In all these fields different trends and interests can be identified, respectively related to methodology, technique, and health care policy, including cost-effectiveness analysis, armonization of efforts, budget management, quality assessment and support to medical decision-making. All the above aspects may take advantage of proper guidelines aimed at minimizing the misuse and unsuitability of health services, at identifying the appropriate strategies for health policy, and at suitably supporting clinical decisions.