COMPUTER-AIDED DIAGNOSIS OF ABDOMINAL-PAIN - IMPLEMENTATION DIFFICULTIES IN THE NORTH-WESTERN REGION

During 1987 a system for the computer-aided diagnosis of abdominal pai n was introduced on a trial basis in seven district health authorities in the North Western (NW) Region. Despite good reports of the system from other areas, by the end of a 12-month period only two of the seve n districts continued to use it in the routine management of patients. A study was undertaken to determine the difficulties that had been en countered and the way in which these had hindered successful implement ation of the system. Information was obtained by interview with key pe rsonnel involved in the trial, which included the chief executive in e ach district, a consultant designated as responsible for the system an d clerical staff. The study identified three main factors undermining the implementation of the system: a lack of consultant support; the ne gative attitude of junior doctors; and inadequate clerical support.