This volume documents the proceedings of the Medical Informatics Europe conference held in Oslo in August 1988, focusing on the latest European developments in the field. The book covers a broad range of topics within medical informatics, with a particular emphasis on two emerging areas: the social and legal implications of new technologies in healthcare, and the application of information technology to support individuals with handicaps. The contributions aim to inform health professionals and policymakers about these advances, enabling them to maintain and improve population health standards.

The proceedings of Medical Informatics Europe 1988, as presented in this volume, likely offered a snapshot of the field's state-of-the-art at that time. The emphasis on social, legal, and assistive technology aspects suggests a forward-looking perspective for the era. The collection of papers would have served as a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners seeking to understand the integration of information technology into healthcare and its impact on patient care and societal well-being.