title: Software for primary healthcare in a developing country. Background and problem statement.
abstract: Nurses in primary healthcare (PHC) clinics carry a heavy administrative burden, much of which can be computerized. Advantages and disadvantages of computerization and issues related to patient records and other requirements of computerized systems are well documented. However, not much attention has been given to users' needs in PHC environments in developing countries. Users in township areas have very specific needs because of a lack of previous exposure to computers and a reluctance to change working habits. Some general software requirements that system developers should consider are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Computer Science and Informatics, University of the Orange Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa. pieterb@wwg3.uovs.ac.za
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Blignaut
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001292:Attitude to Computers; D003197:Computer Literacy; D003906:Developing Countries; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized / Q000458:organization & administration*; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012986:Software Validation; D013019:South Africa