We have frequently requested information from ATOS about Lima and its development, below is a response to a question posed in 2004:
"I have been involved with the Evidence Based Medicine project for almost 4 years now. Our aim has been to provide our Medical Advisers with a system that allows them to write their IB reports electronically, instead of by hand, whilst at the same time encouraging best medical practice".
"We have tried to achieve this by researching the medical evidence in relation to a significant number of common disabling conditions and using the resulting information to help us design assessment techniques that allow doctors to collect and record the most relevant information. We have also collated all the information about these disabling conditions into collections of 'protocols' which we use as training material. In this way we try to ensure that all our advisers are aware of some of the more recent advances in diagnosis and treatment of these conditions. To date, we have three collections of protocols covering muscular and skeletal problems, heart and lung problems and mental health problems."
A further response later that year stated:
"Firstly, because LiMA is, in one sense, just a glorified wordprocessor. It is still possible to write a report using whatever words the doctor chooses to use.
Secondly, even without protocols, we have designed LiMA to assist doctors in a number of ways. The diagnosis list includes a hearing problem category containing a number of common auditory problems. Selecting one of these diagnoses triggers LiMA to prompt the doctor to record appropriate information about the condition under a number of subheadings, including symptoms, hospital referral, investigations, treatment, use of aids and registration".
I'm sure you will all find this of interest, but i hasten to add, that we never really achieved answers to many of the questions we posed during its development and introduction.
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