Data dictionaries: what do they have to do with public health?
While various types of technologies continue to diffuse throughout the health and welfare sectors, there is one in particular that is ubiquitous -- the electronic database. Large databases are generally designed by information technology professionals with input from the health or welfare professional. However, whether large or small, an electronic database must have a data dictionary that is current and ideally derived from standards. This will avoid ambiguities and time consuming efforts which affect on precious resources.
Egana
Nilva
N
Victorian Public Health Training Scheme, La Trobe University and Department of Human Services, Victoria, Australia. negana@students.latrobe.edu.au
Bruinsma
Fiona
F
D004014:Dictionaries as Topic; D008490:Medical Informatics / Q000592:standards*; D011634:Public Health; D011787:Quality of Health Care