Are computers of any use in a family planning clinic?

The Family Planning Directorate in Glasgow received trust financing at the end of the financial year 1994-95 to purchase computer hardware and software to update the family planning appointment system at the central clinic and to introduce electronic clinical records for clients attending the clinic. The system was expected to improve the efficiency of clinic administration and raise standards in the clinical areas of management, communication, audit, and information. This paper discusses the use of information technology (IT) within the clinic and considers how far the objectives have been achieved. Over the years, the system has embedded itself in the culture of the central clinic. In the clients¿ viewpoints, taken in 1997, the majority thought that the computers were necessary and were not more time-consuming during the clinical consultation. In addition, most clients thought enough care was taken with confidentiality of their personal records and they were happy with the personal details held on file about them. In the context of meeting initial objectives, the overall observation is that the IT system provides support to many aspects of administration and clinical care, improves the standard of record keeping, and increases the consultation time.