Building a flexible protocol information system with 'ready for use' web-technology

This paper describes how web technology, currently available, can be used t o build a fast and easy flexible protocol information system. The interface design and functionalities of the system were based on experiences with a previous version of a protocol information system (ProtoVIEW). A wide range of diagnostic or therapeutic protocols could be retrieved and viewed with ProtoVIEW. The Web-based version contains all functionalities of the non we b-based version plus several new functionalities. The web version contains an X-ray viewer and a great deal of interactivity such as validation of ele ctronic patient data forms. The most important additional function is the c ontext sensitive protocol support that may lead to improved protocol adhere nce. Finally, the web-based version can be accessed from any working place since patient data and protocols are stored centrally. (C) 1999 Elsevier Sc ience Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.