Retrieval-oriented design of clinical research forms

Computerized clinical forms are subject to a wide variety of different requ irements. They have to allow detailed documentation and must be user-friend ly. State-of-the-art applications for design permit clinicians themselves t o create their own forms as needed, with the various variables presented in different ways depending on their intended use. Often, however, only aspec ts of clinical documentation are considered, with no thought being given to subsequent data retrieval. This article presents guidelines for the retrie val-oriented design of clinical forms. It discusses where anticipatory meas ures for structuring forms are easier to accomplish than complex data linka ge at the time of retrieval and analysis.