The effects of a computer-assisted reminder system on patient compliance with recommended health maintenance procedures

Abstract

In June of 1993 we implemented a computer-assisted reminder system in the outpatient clinic of an 18 resident family practice training program. The system notifies both patients and physicians of recommended health maintenance procedures. In the 22 months following implementation we documented a rapid increase in physician and patient compliance with several disease screening and prevention services. Despite high physician compliance, we were unable to increase patient compliance rates above 70% for any procedure. At the end of the study period patient compliance varied from a low of 26.7% for sigmoidoscopy to a high of 61.7% for pneumococcal pneumonia vaccination. We feel this study has important implications for the US Public Health Service's preventive services screening goals for the year 2000.