RESOURCE CENTRE MANUAL
HEALTHLINK WORLDWIDE
added, or when subject areas are expanded. The examples of the Healthlink
Worldwide Classification Scheme in Section 5.2.3 show that there is plenty of room
to add new classification numbers for main subjects, but little room for expanding
the HC classification.
5.2.2 How to extend the classification scheme
If the resource centre collection expands into new subject areas (for example,
emerging diseases such as hypertension), you may need to add new subjects to your
classification scheme.
First, check the classification scheme carefully to make sure that there really is no
suitable subject to describe the new material. Then find the most appropriate place
in the list to add the new subject. Decide whether it is a main subject or a subsidiary
subject, and add it next to the subject most similar to it. Give the new subject a
classification number and description.
If possible, give a classification number that leaves room for further expansion. For
example, in the Healthlink Worldwide Primary Health Care Classification Scheme
subsidiary subject areas, the new subject, ‘Hypertension’ (a kind of cardiovascular
disease) could easily be added after the subject ‘Cardiovascular diseases’ and
assigned the classification number HC9.24 (see Section 5.2.3).
5.2.3 Healthlink Worldwide Primary Health Care Classification Scheme
Healthlink Worldwide compiled its own classification scheme in the mid-1980s.
The scheme has been revised regularly to incorporate new subject areas covered by
Healthlink Worldwide’s resource centre, reflecting emerging health issues.
The scheme covers the main subjects in primary health care and disability issues.
Each main subject area is identified by two letters. For example, materials on
diseases and disease control are identified by the letters HC. Each main subject area
is divided into more specific, subsidiary subjects which are identified by numbers.
For example, materials on immunisation are identified by HC3 and materials on
non-communicable diseases are identified by HC9.
6 SECTION 5: ORGANISING THE INFORMATION