Table of Contents

I. Definition of the Technology.- A. Databases and Their Objectives.- B. Terminology in the Area of Data Bases.- C. Scientific Basis for Database Technology.- D. Database Operation.- II. Use of Databases in Health Care.- A. Health Care Settings and the Relevancy of Database Technology.- B. Current Health Care Applications of Databases.- C. The Future Use of Databases in Health Care.- D. The Effect of Databases on Health Care Costs, Quality, and Access.- III. State of the Art of Database Technology in Health Care.- A. Systems in Research or Development Status.- B. Industrial Status.- C. Current Directions of Development.- IV. Appendix: Examples of Current Databases in Health Care.- A. Public Health: CCPDS at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle.- B. Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials: ECOG and RTOG at the Harvard Univ. Dept. of Public Health.- C. Clinical Research: TOD and ARAMIS at Stanford University.- D. HMO Support: COSTAR and the Harvard Community Health Service.- E. Hospital Systems: POMCS at Coral Gables Variety Childrens.- V. References.