Europe faces the challenge of how to apply information and communication technologies to health care. One problem is the widening gap between the expectations of citizens and the limited resources available to provide health services. It is here that advanced technology can serve as an effective tool to find innovative and more efficient ways of delivering health services. This book summarizes a study carried out by a team of consultants for the Directorate General XIII of the Commission of the European Communities. It analyzes the key factors governing the evolution of advanced information systems for health care and medicine in Europe and provides guidelines for placing current and future work within the framework of Community research and development programmes. This book of proceedings on medical informatics is intended for researchers, educators and health care service authorities.