Experience in computerization of perinatal medical records
Computerization of perinatal records is still in a developmental phase. Three major aspects of information system design are evident. Data base definition involves problems in level of description detail that users perceive as necessary and are willing to comply with. The level of detail in an information system can often appear infinite, but compromise must be reached according to users' needs. Mechanism of data entry has attendant problems when it is removed in time from collection of data and interactive judgment by the data source. A desirable objective is to have physicians enter findings directly on a computer terminal, but design and technical difficulties have yet to be overcome. Languages for instructing the computer need further refinement as do definitions involving our performance of medical care.
