ABSTRACT
The end of the twentieth century is marked by the accelerating development of technologies, especially information technology. Information and the means of controlling it have attained a level of strategic importance that in itself makes those who possess it capable of action and decisions. The introduction of the Systeme Electronique de Saisie de l'Assurance Maladie—Electronic Health Insurance Data System-Vitale system in the health insurance branch is the most advanced in the field of health information systems. While the possibilities offered by new technologies are promising, the prerequisites for their introduction are considerable. The material conditions necessary for the collection and storage of the information there is the question of the system's administration and security. Then finally there are methodological difficulties linked to the scale of such projects, which must be addressed to derive optimum benefit from the implementation of these new technologies.
