Education in science information management. The foundation for quality assurance in the 1990's.

This article explores the need for health care quality assurance professionals to keep up with scientific information related to both quality management and clinical medicine. Using data from a recent survey of this nation's primary practitioners and their national opinion leaders, the three basic functions of science information management are reviewed and related to QA tasks. The article suggests that education and training for QA professionals in "science information management" might substantially enhance their impact in terms of improved outcomes of health care. Finally, several basic educational goals are listed for those who wish to develop proficiency in this developing field of information management.