Testing the Suitability and the Limitations of Agent Technology to Support Integrated Assessment of Health and Social Care Needs of Older People

This paper explores the potential and the limitations of agent technology to support delivery of integrated information systems for the health and social care sector. In doing so, it points out the similarities and the mutual characteristics (such as distribution of expertise) of integrated health and social care information systems and agent technology. On the other hand, it identifies an important limitation of agent technology in the development of health and social care systems, which is the lack of a complete and mature analysis and design methodology that will provide guidance in the analysis and design of complex computer-based systems for health and social care. The Single Assessment Process (SAP) [http://www.doh.gov.uk/scg/sap/], an integrated assessment of health and social care needs of older people is used as an example of an integrated health and social care information system throughout the paper.

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