This paper delineates the application of decision support systems in t
he healthcare arena. An overview of decision support systems in the he
althcare environment in the last three to five years, mostly in the US
A and the UK is provided. Some reference is made to work in South Afri
ca. Although this report endeavours to emphasise the decision support
system side, some operations research issues are also addressed. This
paper is divided into several sections: decision support systems defin
ition, techniques used, the use of operations research in specific are
as of healthcare, information systems, assessment of decision support
systems, inhouse development, decision support in South Africa and fut
ure of decision support systems.