Hypertensive patients don't gain from computerised risk assessment

Using computers to support clinical decisions does not result in reduced cardiovascular risk or blood pressure in patients compared with usual care, a randomised controlled trial has shown. Montgomery et al (p 686) compared outcome in practices randomised to use a computer based clinical decision support system plus a risk chart, the risk chart alone, and usual care. Neither the computer system nor the chart alone reduced cardiovascular risk, but patients in the chart only group had a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure and increased prescriptions of cardiovascular drugs. The computer system may have distracted health professionals; such systems need careful evaluation before being introduced into routine primary care.

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Relevant Article

Evaluation of computer based clinical decision support system and risk chart for management of hypertension in primary care: randomised controlled trial

Alan A Montgomery, Tom Fahey, Tim J Peters, Christopher MacIntosh, and Deborah J Sharp
BMJ 2000 320: 686-690. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]