A powerful macro-model for the computer patient record

Especially in the Netherlands, the introduction of computer patient records (CPRs) in primary care has been relatively successful. Specialists usually maintain more extensive records than general practitioners and it has proven to be a great challenge to design a CPR that is useful and practical for specialized care. In this paper, we present the design of a CPR for use by specialists in an out-patient clinic. The philosophy underlying the design is that specialists may keep record in a relatively conventional way, while, at the same time, the system motivates them to add structure to their data. Data can be presented in various views, each suitable for one or more specific tasks. The potential to benefit from these views depends on the degree of structure in the recorded data. Since a CPR has to be faithful and permanent, explicit representation of observations, insights, and evolution of insight is also supported. The CPR system is in a final stage of implementation and will be evaluated in a clinical setting in summer 1994.