Meeting the information needs of an evidence-based world

There are many new and exciting health information developments in Australia today. However, there are also many gaps and problems in the information available to support evidence-based decision-making. For example, computerisation in health lags behind other industries. However, these problems should not prevent us using the available data to manage individual care and the health care system more effectively. It is fruitless to wait for a technological solution to all our problems. Educational and staff changes are needed to prepare health professionals and patients to use information to make evidence-based decisions and bring health care into the information age.