At 08:12 on 19/8/96, Dr Laurence Miles wrote:
> Mary Hawking wrote:
> >
> > Could we broaden this a bit? I'm convinced that there is a serious - and
> > increasing - problem in general practice IT. Personal experience at the
> > end...
>
> One big problem in GP is that many of us have a fair staff turnover over
> the years. A new software package arrives, the practice manager and one
> member of staff train on it, within two years both may be elsewhere, and
> the new members of staff are making do as best they can. (This hasn't
> happened in our practice, but I know of many where it has!)
>
> The cost of continually keeping everyone up to date is phenomenal - and
> that's assuming that they retain it all.
>
> I am convinced that the way forward is to have software which has a
> standard interface, is easy to use straight off, has appropriate help
> (including "bubble help" on buttons), and a manual written in such a way
> as to encourage learning and answer any general questions. This is
> actuallt the way I learn most software packages - if I had gone on
> training courses for each of the software packages I have, I would be
> bankrupt!
I agree.
There are excellent examples of complex software with a lot of help
facilities (labels indicating what buttons and fields mean, texts on 'how
can I..' topics, and even demonstrations/'hand holding')
What will be of a great help is the mentioned more standardised interface.
(All cars are very different, but the interface is standard)
How much research is being performed into this important aspect?
Who is doing research in the medical field?
How many system selllers employ the services of industrial designers?
How many different system sellers do we need?
greetings
Gerard Freriks,huisarts, MD
C. Sterrenburgstr 54
3151JG Hoek van Holland
the Netherlands (31) 174-384296/ Fax: -386249
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|