Physician-centered computers for storage and retrieval of clinical data

Area of Science:

• Medical Informatics
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• The transition from paper-based hospital patient charts to electronic systems has been a long-standing goal in healthcare.
• Current systems primarily focus on administrative and nursing data automation, leaving physician needs during patient encounters largely unaddressed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the feasibility and components of physician-centered computer systems designed for the patient encounter.
• To identify existing technologies that meet the specifications for such systems.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing computer system technologies and their application in healthcare settings.
• Analysis of the requirements for physician-specific, portable, and keyboard-free computing during patient encounters.

Main Results:

• Components for physician-centered systems are now available, addressing information handling needs during patient encounters.
• The Linus "Write-Top" represents a near-complete solution, offering portability and a non-keyboard interface.

Conclusions:

• Physician-centered computer systems are technologically feasible and can significantly enhance patient data management during encounters.
• The development and adoption of such systems, exemplified by devices like the Linus "Write-Top", are crucial for modernizing healthcare information handling.