Evaluation and review of a German data programme in gynaecological oncology - OnkDat 2.0 for Windows

Purpose: The purpose of the following survey was to review an oncology-data programme in clinical practice. Material and Methods: First used on a single terminal only, the programme w as then used within the network for an overall period of 18 months to judge practicability, user comfort and functionability in routine performance. T he involved colleagues of the clinic were asked about their experiences wit h the programme and their opinions were compared and balanced out. Results: For the period of evaluation only the data of inpatients were coll ected even though this data-programme provides many features for outpatient data - not seen in equivalent quality in other German language programmes. Although there is no congruent structure of data collection within gynaeco logical oncology and central data bases are working with different concepts , OnkDat provides a multitude of facts that are highly relevant while leavi ng enough room for optional information. Good compliance by the involved do ctors and efficancy of data collection are especially due to two features o f the programme - easy output of discharge letters and epicrises an deasy o utput of survival rates. Catalogues for classification of diagnosis and tre atment are available and can be produced using the clinic's specific. Resul ts of diagnostic procedures and treatment procedures as well as additional diagnoses can be added with at least one line of freely edited comment. The histological results can also be added individually. There is a lack of se curity with the programme as there is no password-controlled log-in procedu re with different authorisations for each user. Deletion of complete patien t data is easy. A list of latest Internet pages in German is provided for e asy contact with the topic and of underline the aim of the action in the Ge rman health system in respect of guidelines in oncology. Conclusion: Under present circumstances OnkDat 2.0 is a useful software to flexibly adaptable to ongoing changes concerning data collection in medical service and to preserve high-quality standard in gynaecologic oncology.