title: A mobile and asynchronous electronic data capture system for epidemiologic studies.
abstract: A Central Data Management (CDM) system based on electronic data capture (EDC) software and study specific databases is an essential component for assessment and management of large data volumes in epidemiologic studies. Conventional CDM systems using web applications for data capture depend on permanent access to a network. However, in many study settings permanent network access cannot be guaranteed, e.g. when participants/patients are visited in their homes. In such cases a different concept for data capture is needed. The utilized EDC software must be able to ensure data capture as stand-alone instance and to synchronize captured data with the server at a later point in time. This article describes the design of the mobile information capture (MInCa) system an EDC software meeting these requirements. In particular, we focus on client and server design, data synchronization, and data privacy as well as data security measures. The MInCa software has already proven its efficiency in epidemiologic studies revealing strengths and weaknesses concerning both concept and practical application which will be addressed in this article.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Community Medicine, Section Epidemiology of Health Care and Community Health, Ellernholzstr. 1-2, 17487 Greifswald, Germany. jens.meyer@uni-greifswald.de
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fredrich
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Piegsa
authors.forename: Mohamad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Habes
authors.forename: Neeltje
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: van den Berg
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
mesh_terms: D003628:Database Management Systems / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D057286:Electronic Health Records; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D063731:Mobile Applications; D012984:Software; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data