How a community health information network is really used

O ur 1997 study of CHIN implementations compared diverse network models to categorize these systems based on their purpose, participants, funding source, and services provided We looked at a phone-accessible Internetbased computer network called ComputerLink for medical caregivers in Cleveland that was developed for those caring for Alzheimer's disease patients Inspired by Roger's diffusion of innovation theory (outcomes of an innovation are characteristic of the users and the attributes of the innovation), ComputerLink links caregivers, patients, an academic institution (Case Western Reserve University), and public health agencies in order to reduce patients' and caregivers' social isola-tion and the social stigma associated with certain medical conditions. ComputerLink and other similar systems are characterized by a cooperative effort from their participants and by their support of various CHIN functions. ComputerLink participants include the Alzheimer's Disease Association in Cleveland under the auspices of the National Institute of Aging, which is part of the Department of Health and Human Services (www.nih.gov/nia).