Michael Brittain
(08) 302 2220
Catherine Chong
(08) 204 5511
Greg Coffey
(08) 261 2452
Carol Gaston
(08) 226 6285
Paul Hakendorf
(08) 204 5327
Teng Liaw
(08) 204 5511
John Mann
(Secretary)
(08) 228 7467
Lyn Rhyne (Treasurer)
(08) 224 5125
Don Walker (Chair)
(08) 362 1768
Meredith Yarnin
(08) 204 5511
On Tuesday 14th September, the AGM of the Australian Health Informatics Association (South Australia) was held. The Chairman's Report included the following: The sound financial state of the association was appreciated and the Treasurer thanked. Thanks also were extended to the contributors to the "SA News" in the national magazine, the presenters and sponsors involved in the educational meetings, the five outgoing committee members, and the members of AHIA(SA) for their interest and contributions during the year. The five new committee members were welcomed.
Mention was made of the Health informatics Society of Australia, or HISA. This new "umbrella organisation" was born on August 3rd, 1993 at a breakfast meeting during the recent Health Informatics Conference (HIC'93) in Brisbane. Its tasks are largely those of communication between the various informatics "groups" in Australia. Thus an electronic network will be established, the magazine Informatics in Healthcare Australia will become its publication, and regular major conferences will be held.
HIC'93 was in fact an example of HISA at work, and a very successful conference it was. The presence of Marion Ball, as guest and keynote speaker was indeed very special. Marion is Chair of the International Medical Informatics Association (IMIA), and represents the USA on IMIA. Distinguished international speakers were also present. Some 300 candidates enjoyed 60 papers. Overflowing trade booths were enthusiastically attended. Evelyn Hovenga and Greg Whymark edited the Conference Proceedings of which we were all proud. HIC'93 was also profitable.
A new "Educational Meeting Subcommittee" has been formed to organise the AHIA(SA) meetings for the coming year. These will be published when finalised.
The enthusiasm and activities of groups such as AHIA(SA) are the essence of the health informatics movement. Ideas and creations of possible interest should be presented to others. In fact it is time to plan and write articles for the magazine, and the next national conference, HIC'94.
Following the AGM of AHIA(SA), David Hain of Fujitsu Australia Ltd. presented several versions of pen-based terminals, followed by a hands-on opportunity. This technology would seem to have great potential in healthcare which often requires "form-filling" with multiple choice responses. The use of a pen is very familiar to doctors and nurses. It is portable, and is becoming less expensive. At present hand writing recognition stretches the limits of both hardware and software, as it does chemists!
David Wilson from the SA Health Commission presented the "Health Omnibus Survey" - an information tool for all health educators, managers, researchers and practitioners. This is a "contract" high quality randomised epidemiological survey. Researchers may have questions asked for a price. The service is a non-profit and a non-loss one, which is most successful. Currently it has a waiting list.
Thank you David Hain and David Wilson. The AHIA(SA) also thanks Fujitsu Australia Ltd. for hosting the 1993 AGM of AHIA(SA).
