A survey of the personal computer laboratory facilities and policies at U.S. medical schools

In 1988, the 123 U.S. medical schools (excluding Puerto Rico) of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) were surveyed to determine whether the schools had personal computer laboratory (PCL) facilities, and if so, whether the schools had policies and guidelines regarding their use. The purpose of the study was to obtain data that would be helpful to Loyola University of Chicago Stritch School of Medicine's plan to build a personal computing laboratory for its students. Responses were received from 44 medical schools regarding their PCLs' facilities, locations, administrations, staffing, primary uses, policies, and guidelines. The authors summarize some of the respondents' recommendations, observations, and suggestions to medical schools considering installing PCLs for their students.