TEDIS: an information system dedicated to patients with pervasive developmental disorders

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• Pervasive Development Disorders (PDD) are lifelong conditions impacting individuals and families, necessitating extensive healthcare, education, and social support.
• France estimates 350,000-600,000 individuals with PDD, with 5,000-8,000 new cases annually.
• Autism Resource Centres were established in 2005 to support PDD hospital centers in formal clinical assessments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce TEDIS, an information system designed to aid healthcare professionals in managing PDD patient data.
• To facilitate improved understanding of PDD epidemiology and biological mechanisms.
• To support clinical assessment, healthcare planning, and educational/institutional orientation for PDD patients.

Main Methods:

• Development of the TEDIS information system with direct input from healthcare professionals.
• Implementation and initial experimentation of the TEDIS system at Necker child-psychiatry hospital.
• Utilizing TEDIS to organize patient information for research and clinical decision-making.

Main Results:

• Initial experimentations with the TEDIS system have yielded encouraging results.
• The system facilitates the organization of PDD patient information for multidisciplinary medical experts.
• TEDIS provides a foundation for enhancing knowledge regarding PDD, its prevalence, and biological underpinnings.

Conclusions:

• The TEDIS information system shows promise in assisting clinicians and researchers in managing PDD.
• Professional involvement in system development was key to its design and successful implementation.
• Short-term and mid-term deployment plans are in place, indicating a positive outlook for TEDIS adoption.