Computerized medical records in family medicine journals, 1981-1990: diffusion of an innovation

This study examined whether references to computerized medical records in family medicine journals had increased over the past decade as an example of diffusion of innovations. The abstract and methods sections of articles in Family Medicine, the Journal of Family Practice, and the Journal of the American Board of Family Practice were reviewed from 1981 to 1990 for explicit references to computerized medical records. The proportion of articles citing computerized medical records did not significantly increase overall or in any one journal during this time. Articles referenced computerized medical records with regard to sample selection for research studies (54%), description of computerized medical record systems (26%), and generation of health maintenance reminders (4%). These results are discussed in the context of family medicine literature and in terms of factors that typically impede the diffusion of innovations.