Sustainable development of primary health care informatics in Croatia

Abstract:

The establishment of the Central Health Information System of the Republic of Croatia (CEZIH) in the period from 2003 to 2008 can be defined as the beginning of a modern national health care information system on the primary healthcare level. However, the informatization of healthcare in Zagreb started in 1973 by establishing automatic data processing for the Novi Zagreb Healthcare Center. Computer programs aimed for work on a personal computer in primary health care offices appeared in the early 90s of the last century. Three periods may be recognized in the development of the informatization: 1. Entrepreneurship from 1990 to 2003; 2. Public/state from 2003 to 2011, and 3. User period from 2011 to present. The introduction of electronic prescription (eRecept), making the users recognize the benefits of the health informatization, is a poorly recognized milestone mark. The personal electronic health record (eCarton) is still under development, aiming to gather key personal health data collected and available through CEZIH. The current moment and sustainable development of informatization and eHealth imply the professional and economic engagement of all healthcare stakeholders to establish a system ensuring timely availability of adequate health information to the HCPs and patients.

Key words:
communication; Croatia; eHealth; informatization; primary health care