Clinicians attending their first computer-based course run by the Scottish Clinical Audit Resource Centre between October 1993 and June 1996 were asked to fill in a questionnaire designed to assess previous computer training, current computer uses, and the general experience of using computers for clinical audit. Questionnaires were returned by 95% (378/398) of those attending such courses. Eighty-eight per cent had used computers before, the most common uses being word processing (72%) followed by clinical audit (40%) and then administration (34%). Only 4% used them in routine clinical practice. Thirty-nine per cent had received some previous computer training. Computers were being used for audit in three-quarters of respondents' work environments, although only 35% were currently using them themselves. Of these the majority (84%) thought computers had helped the audit process and 54% that computers had increased their efficiency. Clinicians are still largely involved in text processing, although increasing numbers are beginning to use data-handling applications. Those using computers far audit have generally positive experiences, but better access to educational initiatives is required.
