Culture of Health Information in Croatia

Abstract

In this paper we focus on information culture as part of organizational culture, which controls data management and data use within the system. Health information is an important resource in planning, managing and evaluating the system of health, while health information management can have a direct effect on the functioning of the system of health, as well as the quality of health protection. We use the project of the implementation of information-communication technologies within the health system in Croatia in order to reveal the deficiencies in its information culture and data management. We found several reasons for these deficiencies: the absence of systematic and strategic management of eHealth, the existence of a non-transparent system, a high cost of its maintenance, institutional fragmentation, the lack of planned human and financial resources, defined roles and obligations, communication among the actors, as well as standards, procedures and evaluations. The authors suggest a serious approach to strategic goals of health data and information management as a critical step towards a more systematic and successful management of eHealth. In particular, we suggest the strengthening of institutional capacities, more successful communication, as well as better delegation of power and roles among the actors in charge of information management.