SummaryThis paper discusses some of the many problems involved in the implementation of the Problem Oriented Medical Record (POMR). The medical profession is reluctant to accept any new system without good solid evidence in its favour, and unfortunately the merits of POMR are difficult to prove on a short term basis. However, emotional reasoning must be avoided and doubting colleagues encouraged to use POMR without prejudice until, hopefully, its advantages become apparent to them.The best way of introducing POMR into the regular routine of a hospital is discussed, together with some practical problems such as the conversion of old, non-problem oriented records.