One of the definitions of health information that I especially like is by
Patrick K & Koss S. 1995 and defines health information from a consumer
perspective ...

"any information that enables individuals to understand their health and make
health-related decisions for themselves or their families".

This definition implies that the information could come from a variety of
sources including but not limited to: access to their own health record and test
results, to discussions and interpretation by health professionals (all health
professionals including alternative health practitioners) as well as access to
health information available in books, journals, newspaper and other media,
videos, databases, Internet, support groups, associations.  Common places to
"hold" health information are: consumer health information centres, libraries,
health professional's (including all health professionals/alternative health
professionals) offices, health agencies and organizations, hotlines, support
telephone lines, recreation centres, neighbors, friends and family, media
sources etc.

Patrick K, Koss S. 1995. Consumer health information white paper. [draft][s.l.]:
Consumer Health Informatics Subgroup, Health Information and Applications
Workgroup, Committee on Application and Technology, U.S. Information
Infrastructure Task Force, May.

Debbie Bang
Coordinator/Researcher
St. Joseph's Community Health Centre
Consumer Health Information Centre
2757 King Street East
Hamilton, Ontario  L8G 5E4
(905)  573-7777 ext. 8054
(905) 573-4828 FAX
[log in to unmask]
web site: www.stjosham.on.ca


> On Wed, 21 Jan 1998, Madeline Boscoe wrote:
>
> > what kind of recommendations or ideas that those of us in health promotion
> > and community development would like to see. at present much of the
> > discussion in my province has been focussed on medical records, "smart
> > cards" and privacy. there is little visioning about other types of health
> > information or the priorities and needs of the public.
> >
> > I am suggesting to the organizers that they need to be sure everyone is,
> > for example, using the same definition of health information and a health
> > information structure. I am seeking any suggestions of where to find a good
> > one that has been used or recommended. I expect someone on this list has
> >
> > Too often the discussions I have heard seem to focuss on centralized health
> > information systems ie national 1 800 numbers or websites but little on the
> > possible roles of local networks, libraries, freenets, community health
> > centres etc.
> >
>
>
>
> I find Madeline's call to discussion ecxiting.  I currently am completing
> research on the fit of information technology to meet the needs of
> patients/clients, caregivers, staff and organizations in the delivery of
> community health care.  This is the grass roots, the front line.  There
> exists the opportunity to allow people as much control and responsibility
> over their own health as they are willing to accept.
>
> Defining HEALTH INFORMATION
> AND THE NATURE OF A HEALTH INFORMATION STRUCTURE IS indeed challenging.
>
> Can health information incompase all the determinants that foster good
> health and correspondingly leads to increased quality of life?  Promotion,
> prevention, cure and care would become somewhat balanced in such a
> definition.
>
> What needs would such a health information structure serve?
> Organizational, and professional needs , or the needs of those
> experiencing illness.
>          Worthley, et al, 1995 states that 85% of
> respondents in a survey feel they do not recieve the factual information
> they are looking for to make health related decisons and 82% want it.
>
> I look foreward to further discussion on these important goals.
>
>         Jayne Cardno, Graduate Student
>         Rural Extension Studies, University of Guelph.
>