Does the computerisation of a general practice increase doctor's fees?

While few Auckland general practitioners had inpractice computers before 1981-2, many installed computers after 1981-2. In order to assess some of the determinants of the computerisation of practices and the outcomes of computerisation, data was collected on a random sample of Auckland urban area general practitioners for the financial years 1981-2 and 1984-5. The characteristics of those installing computers and the effect of computerisation on practice costs, fees and workloads was explored. No significant difference in fees was seen between computerised and noncomputerised general practitioners, but differences were observed in practice costs and practice workstyles. The cost of the purchase of a computer by a practice does not appear to be directly passed on to the consumer in higher patient fees.