NetNote- Promoting Structured Data Entry, Medical Education, Data Gathering and Dissemination of Standards

Christopher Kreis, M.D.

Harvard University

Abstract:

Computerized analysis of medical data is crippled by a lack of accepted standards for data collection. While several standards exist, few enjoy widespread use. Thus, the acceptance of these standards is limited-an unused "standard" is of course a worthless standard. Acceptance of standards can be promoted by creating usable systems for data collection based on one standard, but which can be run anywhere. NetNote is a web based interface for the gathering of patient encounter data. NetNote attempts to create a front end which is practical for the medical student, resident, and practitioner, while running off a back end standardized XML data tree. Data is not only defined in the dictionary, but structured as well. As users employ the front end, they generate notes which share a common data source and are recorded in a common data format.

In addition, data can be gathered on usage patterns from the application, which enables the further perfecting of the data structure. NetNote attempts to promote its own use amongst students and residents through numerous usage perks, including features to promote learning by medical students and lab importation to speed note writing for residents. NetNote is an experiment designed to determine whether adherence to certain design principles and exploitation of the web can effectively promote structured data entry.

Benefit in Attending Session:

This presentation presents a look at how the latest web technologies (such as large scale XML and XSL) can be used to create web distributed applications. NetNote is not a web site; it is a web application. Benefits to and challenges in creating such an application are discussed.

PRIMARY AUTHOR'S INFORMATION

Christopher Kreis, M.D.

MGH Laboratory of Computer Science

50 Staniford St 5th floor

Boston, MA 02114

Telephone Number: 617-726-18

E-mail Address: ckreis@partners.org

Web Site: http://netnote.mgh.harvard.edu/