On 6 Jul 96 at 19:12, Alan Hyslop wrote:
> I looked into the following:
> Sullivan F, Mitchell E. Has general practitioner computing made a
> difference to paitent care? A systematic review of published
> reports. Br. Med. J. 1995:311;848-852.
>
> They quote four studies on prescribing, all showing benefits such as
> significant time saved etc. However they're all from mid '80s.
> Indeed Sullivan et al comment that these kind of benefits were a big
> factor in persuading GPs to buy computers.
>
> They authors also note the limited sample sizes, typically one doc.
> With second/ third generation systems now here, your idea of a
> bigger replication might be sensible. But wouldn't it be better to
> get into looking at fresh areas of benefit that have become possible
> by folk such a you using consulting room modules?
You are right, but you must remember that the Medical Community Down
Under is nowhere near as computerised as you guys in the UK (various
studies report computer use in the GP consulting room at between 4% and
6%).
The event that prompted my query was a recent Australian Government
sponsored Consultancy which looked into the issue of how to encourage
computerisation of private (ie. non-salaried) medical practitioners.
Their report recommended starting with Electronic Prescribing.
The Government has now convened a parliamentary committee to examine
the findings and seek public input, hence my need for hard evidence.
Many thanks for the Reference. Despite its obvious age, I'll not be
looking this gift horse in the mouth!!
BTW, I have received a number of replies privately from members of
this list, for which I am most grateful. However, it is interesting
how many use phrases like "it should be obvious" or "it stands to
reason". While I agree, there is often a need for hard evidence, if
not in the UK where the precedences have been set for Government
subsidies for GP computing, then certainly in other countries looking
at this issue.
I agree wholeheartedly with Alan's final comment. I'd have thought
that it would be rewarding research for an appropriately
qualified/interested academic to perform a rigourous and
comprehensive re-examination the impact of computerisation on
medicine, if only to prove the folklore!!
Cheers,
Rob Hills
MBBS, Grad Dip Com Stud, MACS
Rx Medical (Creating Quality Healthcare Software)
22 Hardy Street, South Perth, WA 6151, Australia
Phone: +61 9 474 1977 Fax: +61 9 474 1922
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