PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

P L Richard

Publications and source records attributed to P L Richard.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Conquering technophobia: preparing faculty for today.

The constantly changing world of technology creates excitement and an obligation for faculty of schools of nursing to address computer literacy in the curricula at all levels. The initial step in the process of meeting the goals was to assist the faculty in becoming computer literate so that they could foster and encourage the same in the students. The implementation of The Cure for Technophobia included basic and advanced computer skills designed to assist the faculty in becoming comfortable and competent computer users. The applications addressed included: introduction to windows, electronic mail, word processing, presentation and database applications, library on-line searches of literature databases, introduction to internet browsers and a computerized testing program. Efforts were made to overcome barriers to computer literacy and promote the learning process. Familiar, competent, computer literate individuals were used to conduct the classes to accomplish this goal.

Attitude to Computers↗

An information system for head and neck tumors: optimal use of abstracting and retrieval resources.

This report describes a symbiotic interaction between a hospital tumor registry and the physicians in a medical school department of otolaryngology. The tumor registry is responsible for collecting central registry data, entering both central registry and department-specific data, performing routine data maintenance functions, and tracking the patients over time. The departmental physicians collect site-specific data and, after entry into a computer-based data base management system, can access the information without intermediaries and at their convenience. The result is a comprehensive information resource for head and neck cancer. The development of a medical subspecialty information system, as a satellite to the central registry mechanism, is noteworthy in its low cost, frequent physician use, better patient tracking, improved patient care, and increased clinical relevance of registry activities. A subtle but pervasive benefit is the increased sense of mission experienced by all concerned.

Abstracting and Indexing↗

The key role of software in implementing computer-based information systems for the hospital pharmacy.

The technology of the information age has the potential to significantly alter the many ways pharmacists acquire, control, and use information about drugs, patients, and personnel. Computer-based information systems will become the expected standard of practice. To obtain maximum benefit from these automated systems requires an understanding of all three aspects of computer technology: hardware, "peopleware," and software. Knowledge of software is the weakest element. This report identifies problems associated with software acquisition and evaluation, then suggests guidelines to enhance successful implementation of automated systems. Until competence in software literacy is achieved, it is unrealistic to expect pharmacists to derive optimal benefit from any investment in computer-based pharmacy information systems.

Computers↗

A data base management system for the administration of hospital pharmacy personnel.

A data base management system (System 2000) was utilized to develop a pharmacy personnel inventory that would allow the pharmacy and hospital administrators to quickly and easily obtain biographic and demographic information about employees in a large pharmacy department. The inventory provides personal information about each employee and administrative data such as previous employment and salary histories, benefits packages, and special skills. In addition, the personnel inventory provides other administrative functions including: 1) a tally of vacation or sick days accrued; 2) salary and merit increase information for pay evaluations; 3) a personnel telephone directory; 4) the immediate access to employee emergency contact information; 5) a tally of continuing education credits accrued by each pharmacist; 6) a list of languages, other than English, spoken by pharmacy personnel; 7) pharmacist licensure information; and 8) a list of the ethnic groups represented in the department for use in equal opportunity employment. Computer-prompted instructions allow use of the system by individuals with little or no computer background. Implementation of the system required less than 200 hours and maintenance costs have been relatively minimal. Recent advances in computer technology have made data base management systems similar to that described in this report, a realistic investment for the administrative needs of even the smaller hospital pharmacy.

Computers↗

Do you understand the role of software? It's the key to performance of laboratory computer systems.

Pathologists making decisions regarding computer applications in their laboratories need to understand all three aspects of computer technology: software, the user interface, and hardware. Of these, software may be the most important. This article identifies problems associated with software usage, taking into account contraints imposed by hardware and personnel, then suggests criteria for evaluating software. If pathologists are to derive maximum benefit from their investment in automated technology, they need to understand the intrinsic role of software in computer-based systems.

Computers↗