[Theoretical frame of reference for the establishment of an international health information network]

This article discusses the principal problems of health information systems. It describes the benefits that would accrue from the adoption of a new policy for the organization of medical libraries based on the principles of selectivity and exchanges of resources in order to make library services more cost-effective. It describes how this cost-effectiveness can be achieved not only in a single library but in an entire health information network. It is also shown how a basic collection can be assembled by having the material selected by a group of experts, and by selection based on the frequency of references to different works. Finally, the author enumerates what he regards as the basic requirements for the success of information systems, among them the identification and acquisition of appropriate technology for the circulation, maintenance and use of the material, training for the personnel of the inter-change network, the education of users, and the establishment of a sound financial structure.