title: Informatics tools to improve clinical research study implementation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There are numerous potential sources of problems when performing complex clinical research trials. These issues are compounded when studies are multi-site and multiple personnel from different sites are responsible for varying actions from case report form design to primary data collection and data entry.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe an approach that emphasizes the use of a variety of informatics tools that can facilitate study coordination, training, data checks and early identification and correction of faulty procedures and data problems. The paper focuses on informatics tools that can help in case report form design, procedures and training and data management.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Informatics tools can be used to facilitate study coordination and implementation of clinical research trials.
authors.affiliation: Yale School of Medicine, Center for Medical Informatics, New Haven, CT 06520-8009, USA. cynthia.brandt@yale.edu
authors.forename: Cynthia A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Brandt
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Argraves
authors.forename: Roy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Money
authors.forename: Gowri
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ananth
authors.forename: Nina M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Trocky
authors.forename: Prakash M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Nadkarni
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D016494:Computer Security; D003628:Database Management Systems / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005568:Forms and Records Control / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D048088:Informatics; D007318:Inservice Training