The team involved in the EHCR message has also been active in a new CEN TC251 task force considering the application of XML to healthcare messages and other Standards. Mappings of the proposed EHCR messages into XML are being used as part of the exploration of this area and these are also available for wider comment. The work is proceeding rapidly with interim deliverables available for comment via the World Wide Web. Early in 1999 a document should be available for ballot as a European Prestandard. At the same time, profiles of the Standard message for use in primary care and diabetic care should be available for initial pilot implementation.
Implementation presents new challenges compared with previous pilots and trailblazers.
Consider briefly how few transfers take place between any two practices and you will realise the difficulty of live trials. If that is not enough to occupy you, move on to address the issues of confidentiality and authenticity of the records that are transferred. There is a need for new ideas and constructive experimentation. However, it is time we turned the tide and started to realise more of the opportunities presented by communication of electronic health information. It is at least time to get our feet wet.