Computerized Psychiatric Outpatient Files: Design and Implementation Issues

摘要

Although computers are fairly new entrants into the medical arena, we are rapidly seeing their usefulness come into view. This paper is a discussion of the steps taken in the design and implementation of a model for computerized psychiatric outpatient files. The difficulties and hazards as well as the high points of the realization of such a system are presented. The paper also takes a brief look at what the future might hold. The paper raises some important and interesting aspects of automating patient files for clinical follow-up toward the ultimate goal of improved patient care.