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General practitioners' use of computers during the consultation
Summary
General practitioners (GPs) widely use computers for patient information and prescribing. Barriers to broader computer use in consultations exist, suggesting targeted training for reluctant GPs is needed.
Area of Science:
- Health Informatics
- General Practice
- Medical Technology
Background:
- Computer use among general practitioners (GPs) is increasing.
- Understanding current usage patterns and barriers is crucial for effective implementation of health IT.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document the extent of computer use by GPs during patient consultations.
- To identify barriers hindering broader computer adoption in primary care settings.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire survey was distributed to a random sample of 600 GPs in the South and West National Health Service (NHS) region.
- Response rate was 65%, with data analyzed on computer terminal availability and usage patterns.
Main Results:
- 91% of GPs had computer terminals in consulting rooms.
- 98% used computers for information lookup or prescribing; 36% documented patient problems at every consultation.
- Use beyond basic functions correlated with fundholding status and home computer use.
Conclusions:
- While most GPs utilize computers for core tasks, broader integration faces barriers.
- Positive attitudes exist towards incorporating management guidelines into software and electronic health records.
- Targeted training should address GPs hesitant to use computers during consultations.