Family physicians lead computer crusade
When it comes to the computer revolution in medicine, family physicians
are leading the march. FPs are designing software, implementing computer
systems, providing technology consultations, and pressuring the computer
industry to develop tools relevant to primary care.
"Family practice, more than any other specialty, is information
intensive," says Randall Oates, MD, a practicing family physician in
Springdale, AR. "My vision of the future of health care is based on family
physicians with good information skills. If family physicians learn how to
manage information, get the right knowledge at the right time, and get the
information to their patients, then family practice will step to the forefront.
Otherwise, it will become obsolete."
Dr. Oates founded DOCS Inc., which provides software for ambulatory care
and consulting systems. He says many FPs like himself have been ready and
willing to embrace technology for years, but the industry wasn't catering to
family practice. That's changing as more family physicians clamor to find
technology to improve their practices' efficiency and effectiveness.
In fact, pressure from FPs has led to an ever-growing supply of tools.
For example:
- "There's software designed to electronically recreate the visual
image of a chart, so a physician is immediately familiar with it," Dr. Oates
explains. "It looks like a chart; it acts like a chart; it's just on the
monitor instead of in your hand."
- Software called "5-Minute Consult" provides a concise outline of most
problems encountered in the primary care office, Dr. Oates says. "I just had my
first patient in five years with rheumatic fever. I couldn't remember all the
diagnostic criteria and the latest information, so I switched on the `5-Minute
Consult' and reviewed the information on rheumatic fever. I printed out two
copies--one for the patient and one for the chart. The family was impressed and
I was comfortable that I was doing state-of-the-art medical care."
- Drug interaction software will alert you when a patient's medications
pose dangerous combinations. Dr. Oates says 10-20 percent of hospitalizations
in the United States result from iatrogenic complications, usually
medicine-related. "There's a significant potential for cost savings and
improved quality of care using drug interaction software," he adds.
- This material is from a special section on "Computers and Family
Practice" in the July 1996 issue of FP Report, published by the AAFP
News Department.
"Computers and Family Practice" contents
FP Report, July 1996 headlines
More information about FP Report
