The Dutch 'Benefit-II' project: do physicians benefit from using an electronic medical dossier?

In 1992 the Dutch College of General Practitioners (NHG) started a project, which lasted until May 1994. The project had three major objectives: establishing as exactly as possible what benefits we gain from using an Electronic Medical Dossier (EMD) can we find an influence on the quality of care? Which drawbacks or problems are there, advising on the optimal use of an EMD; What is the best place to record certain data? advising the Working Committee on Informatics (WCIA), of Dutch National Association of General Practitioners (LHV) and NHG on the directions for the new Reference Model 1995. To obtain these goals panel discussions and a questionnaire were used. The project resulted in advice on how to use the EMD in the most efficient way. Also we have learned about the use of GP-information systems and the perception about this usage by the Dutch GPs.