Automated ambulatory medical records systems. An orphan technology.

Automated ambulatory medical records systems (AAMRSs) have been operational for over 20 years but have not been adopted by more than a small fraction of their potential users. This paper presents a detailed analysis of the uses and benefits of the COSTAR-based AAMRS at the Harvard Community Health Plan and of the factors which have inhibited the dissemination of COSTAR. We conclude that AAMRSs have been an orphan technology and cite trends in health care that favor the future development of AAMRSs.