Programmatic intent of IAIMS--past and future. The National Library of Medicine's IAIMS grant program: experiences and futures.

The National Library of Medicine awards grants for the planning and development of integrated Academic Information Management Systems (IAIMS). The goal is to create mechanisms in health institutions and organizations to more effectively manage the knowledge of medicine. A background and description of the IAIMS Grant Program is given with emphasis on the planning phase. General observations and comments are made about IAIMS activities to date. A brief discussion about IAIMS futures is also included.