A History of the Shift Toward Full Computerization of Medicine

Abstract

n the 1960s, discussions began about how computers might enhance the practice of medicine.Computer technology seemed to hold promise for improved decision making by clinicians.It was believed that doctors might be able to use computers for much faster access to both procedure results and to the literature.Computers might also help caregivers to reduce medical errors through the provision of reminders and alerts.Nonetheless, at that time, physicians generally did not adopt computers on a number of sensible grounds.Equipment then was expensive, slow, cumbersome and unreliable.Medical administrators shied away from investing in technology that could not yet guarantee sufficient financial benefit.Furthermore, four decades ago physicians preferred to maintain their own autonomy and had scant interest in formal systems to support their medical decisions.

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