Attitudes toward computers held by various personnel in a medical center were surveyed to determine if recent developments bringing the public into closer regular contact with computers and related devices have resulted in any attitudinal changes since an earlier similar study reported in the literature in 1972. While some differences were found, the overall similarity of results in the two studies seems to indicate that, though people are still favorably disposed toward the use of computers in the health care field, their value is still regarded as unproven.
The trend toward automation in the health care industry, noted by Startsman and Robinson, continues at an accelerating pace (1). As Barnett has noted, many of the problems encountered during this process have to do with the interface between human beings and machines, and the feelings and opinions of those on the human side of this interface are crucial factors in the success of any application of computers to the vast problems faced by the health care industry (2).
Startsman and Robinson studied the computer attitudes held by the various groups working in a large medical center associated with a major medical school. Several developments since their study, completed nearly seven years ago, make it seem worthwhile to test the present climate of opinion in a comparable setting. The pocket calculator explosion has put significant computing power into the hands of vast numbers of people, of all ages and walks of life, and this has doubtless had at least some effect on how people view computers. The microprocessor is bringing sophisticated computer systems into many homes and people are discovering that the art of computer programming is not an arcane exercise which must remain shrouded in mystery from ah but the most intellectually gifted. People see the computer being employed all around them; it is a much more tangible part of life now than it was even a half-dozen years ago.
It was, therefore, determined to replicate the Startsman and Robinson study, again in a large medical center and school setting, using many of the items in their original questionnaire, with some additions more specific to this particular environment.