[Tina, a model for a supra-regional expert assessment information system]

A problem common to most medical assessment centres is how to avoid redoing work already done in a similar case? Or, more precisely, how to get knowledge about that similar case? The problem is aggravated by the companies' decentralization and the vast amount of yearly assessments. We present a model of an information system based on a public wide-area network which nevertheless complies with German law in respect of handling personal data. The system neither compiles a full-text data base, nor does it allow access to original documents. Instead, it automatically creates a thesaurus-based index file according to the users' specific queries. Each index points to the requested document giving its author and time of accomplishment. Upon written request the document will be mailed within the company. Internet technology is used, and hardware requirements are modest. As a hybrid system the Tina (thesaurus-based index file system with net access) model system guarantees data safety despite easy data base access. Its information is detailed, and the response time is adequate.