Effect of Computers in the Examination Room

From a large systematic review of all articles published between 1980 and 1997, the following conclusions were reached.

1. Computer use during consultations lengthened the consultation.
2. Reminder systems for preventive tasks and disease management improved process rates, although some returned to pre­intervention levels when reminders were stopped.
3. Use of computers for issuing prescriptions increased prescribing of generic drugs, and use of computers for test ordering led to cost savings and fewer unnecessary tests.
4. There were no negative effects on those patient outcomes evaluated.
5. Doctors and patients were generally positive about use of computers, but issues of concern included their impact on privacy, the doctor­patient relationship, cost, time, and training needs.

References

Mitchell E, Sullivan F. A descriptive feast but an evaluative famine: systematic review of published articles on primary care computing during 1980-97. BMJ 2001 Feb 3;322(7281):279-82