> The Heart Attack Prevention Service. Computers in General Practice

Takeheart Health Check       [Twelve things for a computer to do in general practice]

Twelve things for a computer to do in General Practice

The following remarks are offered for discussion.
  1. Display Information.
    This is an Erasmic function - "Not too little, not too much but just right."
    Screen, paper, audio, Braille and others.
  2. Issue reminders, warnings and alarms.
    During contact and as a background activity.
  3. Advise on priorites.
    It is impossible to do everything. Use available resources to chip away at highest priorities.
  4. Assist with internal communications.
    Keep the team and patients informed. Confidentiality issues.
  5. Comment on the cost of services.
    If the provider/prescriber is unaware of the cost of his prescribing, investigations, referrals and indeed himself how can he be sure that his resources are being used efficiently?
    Is there a case for sharing this knowledge with the patient?
  6. Act as an encyclopaedia.
    In house, internet, guidelines, NICE and so on.
  7. Have an educational function.
    Encyclopaedia. Research. Internet. Exploring the records.
  8. Acknowledge that data entry is a labour intensive chore.
    Entry of the same data more than once is unnecessary. This involves electronic data transfer and form processing.
  9. Undertake administative functions.
    These are legion!
  10. Identify and assist in the solution of problems.
    Computer aided diagnosis. Exploring the records again.
  11. Assist with external communications.
    PCT. Secondary care. Other practices.
  12. Assist with research.
    A powerful report generator is useful here.
Discuss!!

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© G.M.Clayton 1997
GMC Register Number 0147091