Microcomputers and microprocessors in urology: present and future

Urology departments have a heavy outpatient workload requiring efficient secretarial, appointments and records services. Microcomputers are relatively inexpensive and can facilitate efficient routine clinical and research work. Unlike mainframe computers, formal training is not usually required, a simple introduction being sufficient for the enthusiast. An Apple computer is used in this department for word processing incorporating standard letters, paragraphs and phrases. With more sophisticated programs urological screening by computer interrogation could be linked to an appointments system to coordinate investigations, minimising hospital visits. Microprocessors can facilitate a wide variety of measurement recording and data handling. Urodynamic measurements can be computed and graphs superimposed to facilitate interpretation.