A computerized genetic record system.

The quantity of data stored in manual medical records--which is a function of the level of sophistication of medical practice--has become unmanageable. The need for efficient access to this information can be met by computerization. A number of automated medical record systems have been developed for this purpose, invariably by physicians with computer expertise. The recent development of 'application generators' (a specific group of versatile packaged software systems) now enables a wide range of applications to be effectively computerized by end-users (the people who ultimately use the systems) who have no knowledge of computers. The utilization of an application generator to computerize the medical records of patients seen at the Department of Human Genetics of the University of Cape Town Medical School is described and discussed.