Abstract:
Providing quality health care requires access to continuous patient data that developing countries
often lack. A panel of medical informatics specialists, clinical human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) specialists, and
program managers suggests a minimum data set for supporting the management and monitoring of patients with HIV
and their care programs in developing countries. The proposed minimum data set consists of data for registration and
scheduling, monitoring and improving practice management, and describing clinical encounters and clinical care. Data
should be numeric or coded using standard definitions and minimal free text. To enhance accuracy, efficiency, and
availability, data should be recorded electronically by those generating them. Data elements must be sufficiently de-
tailed to support clinical algorithms/guidelines and aggregation into broader categories for consumption by higher
level users (e.g., national and international health care agencies). The proposed minimum data set will evolve over time
as funding increases, care protocols change, and additional tests and treatments become available for HIV-infected
patients in developing countries
