Computer-aided documentation and therapy planning in pediatric oncology - Introduction of a nationwide approach

In Pediatric Oncology in Germany, 90% of the patients are treated according to multicenter clinical trials, which means an enormous effort for documen tation in the participating clinics. In order to enable multiple use of dat a for patient records as well as for clinical trials a computer-based docum entation system for pediatric oncology (DOSPO) is being developed, which ca n be used nationwide. DOSPO currently comprises a minimum basic data set, w hich represents the common core of all multicenter trials and which has bee n approved by the German Society for Pediatric Oncology and Hematology (GPO H). It is intended to enhance the documentation by specific items of each c linical trial. Functions for computer-aided chemotherapy planning and medic al report writing have already been implemented in the documentation system . Various centers in Germany are currently validating the systemin routine use.