The role and scope of data management in a changing health services delivery environment

Data and information are essential to rational decision making and the good management of the health services delivery systems in any country. The restructuring of health systems world-wide is impacted by these concepts. The information systems necessary to provide data and information can be characterized by a number of interdependent domains. Data Management is central because data provides the binding principle: Applications are processing Data, Technology is transferring data, Methodology is identifying how data is captured and where it is used in order to minimize the cost of data as a resource. The whole purpose is to serve the Business of Health Services Delivery. Each domain is interdependent with the others at an intersection between the domains.