Are there any advantages to using the computer for keeping family health records instead of just keeping a notebook? For most people, the answer is yes. The computer is very good at doing tasks that will help your records be more complete, accurate, and useful:

·        Prompting for required information and checking its accuracy. Did you forget to enter the health care provider's name? Is the date you entered a valid date?

·        Ease of entry. Software can use choices and lists of selectable items to reduce the amount of typing and prevent errors.

·        Tallies of data. Computers can add up calories, grams of fat, and medical expenses giving you better and more accurate information than you would compute by hand.

·        Comparisons and display of data. Does walking for 30 minutes every day help you lose weight? Computers can help you ask and answer such questions, and display the results in a table or easy-to-see graph. This will enable you to actively participate in making changes to improve your health.

·        Organization of data. Computers can instantly sort and display the information you have entered by family member, or date, or illness. This improves your ability to find the information you need, and to find it quickly.