Public health care agencies lack the infrastructure to meet the increasing operational demands on them, but there is little comparative data on alternative operational structures and systems from which to formulate remedies. Improved information management systems could help address both the workload and the gathering of critically needed data. PC-based database and application programs (PC-APs) that communicate with the mainframe are proposed as a methodology for filling the information-processing gap between mainframe computing and manual information systems. We also propose a model for systematic study of information management systems in clinical settings which can be used to evaluate other aspects of clinical program operations as well. A pilot study demonstrating these methodologies suggests that this is a fruitful approach to assessing ambulatory care operations and that PC-APs can improve administrative and clinical functions and enhance FTE productivity at lower overall cost.