Computer-based assistance in family medicine

In this paper, the fully integrated General Practitioner (GP) Information and Research System HIOS and Decision Support System HIOS+ are described. Both systems were developed with the Phased Development Methodology (PDM), which is also presented. HIOS consists of an administrative module, medical modules, and a research module to support GPs in daily practice activities and research. It was implemented at a general practice and a health centre, and was evaluated positively. HIOS+ was developed by extending HIOS with modules which offer several types of decision support to assist GPs in (diagnostic) decision making. The modules offer passive and active decision support. HIOS+ can present textbook information, generate advice and warnings, support the creation of models, generate reports, and can be used in education. Some HIOS+ modules were evaluated by GPs in evaluation studies, all with positive results. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.