Computer processing of narrative medical data

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Abstract
A method of computer-acceptable narrative medical input utilizing the Variable-Field-Length Format is described. One hundred head injury protocols consisting of dictated data were searched for specific variables by physicians, using paper and pencil, as well as by appropriately programmed small and relatively large computer systems. These 3 techniques are compared in terms of time, money, and effectiveness of search for retrieval of this data. The physicians were generally more accurate in retrieving data by paper and pencil than with either of the present computer techniques, although the differences were not great. The cost in both time and money was considerably greater with paper and pencil compared with either computer technique. These initial search and retrieval programs show promise. The above observations serve to clarify areas and directions in which effort should be concentrated in the future in order to improve computer processing of narrative clinical data.

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