The hierarchical classification of medical information systems (MIS), accepted in article, is proved. Authors present main goals of MIS various types usage, including directory and information-analytical support of acceptance (choice) for diagnostic, medical, administrative and other types of decisions; medico-statistical calculations performance and so forth. For separate units of the medical equipment the functional purpose of their software is analyzed; its structure and cost; used communication protocols with MIS of the medical institutions (MI). For MIS of MI-scale is considered in detail necessary functionality; costs of creation, introduction and operation (including costs of hardware, telecommunication equipment, personnel training, all-system software and so forth). Concerning MIS, applied to management of regions health care sphere, their functional tasks are presented, some features of complex MIS are specified. In article is specified role of «federal level»-MIS in control system of the health care sphere. Authors investigate necessary levels of information and communication competence of patients, medical, technical and administrative personnel of MI - from positions of development, introduction and operation of MIS. The expedient directions and methods of ensuring such competence are analyzed.

Keywords: medical information systems, hierarchical structure, functions, cost, development, exploitation