Information technology and the medical profession: a curse or an opportunity?

Wynne N. Snoots, MD

From the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.

Corresponding author: Wynne M. Snoots, MD, 3434 Swiss Avenue, Suite 104, Dallas, Texas 75246 (e-mail: snoots@baylorhealth.edu).

Physicians have seen the computerization of health care in our lifetimes. Undoubtedly, computers and other medical technology have improved the quality of health care tremendously. However, some aspects of this computerization have been stumbling blocks rather than aids to physicians and their patients. In this article, I describe some of the “curses” that have resulted from the codification of health care. I also describe an information system developed for the orthopaedic surgeons at Baylor University Medical Center (BUMC) that seeks to correct some of the limitations of administrative data and offers an opportunity to improve patient care and our individual practices. (BUMC Proceedings 2002;15:138-140)