Has general practitioner computing made a difference to patient care? A systematic review of published reports.

OBJECTIVE

To review findings from studies of the influence of desktop computers on primary care consultations.

DESIGN

Systematic review of world reports from 1984 to 1994.

SETTING

The computerised catalogues of Medline, BIDS, and GPlit were searched, as well as conference proceedings, books, bibliographies, and references in books and journal articles.

SUBJECTS

30 papers met the inclusion criteria and were included for detailed review.

INTERVENTIONS

A validated scheme for assessing methodological adequacy was used to score each paper.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Papers were rated on sample formation, baseline differences, unit of allocation, outcome measures, and follow up. Differences in outcomes were also recorded.

RESULTS

Four of the six papers dealing with the consultation process showed that consultations took longer. Doctor initiated and "medical" content of consultations increased at the expense of a reduction in patient initiated and "social" content. Each of the 21 studies which looked at clinician performance showed an improvement when a computer was used (from 8% to 50%, with better results for single preventive measures). Only one of the three studies looking at patient outcomes showed an improvement (diastolic blood pressure control 5 mm Hg better after one year, with fewer doctor-patient consultations).

CONCLUSIONS

Using a computer in the consultation may help improve clinician performance but may increase the length of the consultation. More studies are needed to assess the effects on patient outcomes of using a computer in consultations.