Computer use by family physicians in the United States

Abstract

In March 1988 the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) sampled approximately 4400 active members to ascertain their interest in office computers. After two mailings an overall response rate of 58.9% was achieved. Approximately 45% of active members currently use a computer in their office practices while 3% use a service bureau. There is a wide variation of use by US census region with approximately one in two family physicians in the West North Central census region using office computers compared to one in three in the Middle Atlantic. Accounts receivable and billing are the principal applications and are used by 86.9% of family physicians with computers in their offices. Very few are using a computer for medical records. Approximately two in five indicated that they have a personal or home computer. It is estimated that approximately 65% of AAFP active members have access to a computer either at home or at their office.