Database production and maintenance.
The advent of computers and electronic databases have revolutionized the way that clinical research is done. If study inclusion criteria are saved in the database, creating a study population can be accomplished by constructing an electronic query. Prospectively-entered outcome data related to a particular patient population then can be accessed and exported to a statistical software application for analysis. The senior author has more than 2 decades of experience with computer-based clinical outcome databases. In the context of his personal experience, this review offers some insights related to database design and maintenance.
Engh
Charles A
CA
Anderson Orthopaedic Research Institute, Alexandria, VA 22307, USA.
Engh
C Anderson
CA
Nagowski
Jarrod P
JP
Hopper
Robert H
RH
D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip; D003628:Database Management Systems / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008283:Maintenance; D009985:Orthopedics / Q000639:trends; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011364:Professional Practice / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012985:Software Design