title: Information Engineering and Workflow Design in a Clinical Decision Support System for Colorectal Cancer Screening in Iran.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Colorectal cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Colorectal cancer screening is an optimal way for reducing of morbidity and mortality and a clinical decision support system (CDSS) plays an important role in predicting success of screening processes. DSS is a computer-based information system that improves the delivery of preventive care services. The aim of this article was to detail engineering of information requirements and work flow design of CDSS for a colorectal cancer screening program.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the first stage a screening minimum data set was determined. Developed and developing countries were analyzed for identifying this data set. Then information deficiencies and gaps were determined by check list. The second stage was a qualitative survey with a semi-structured interview as the study tool. A total of 15 users and stakeholders' perspectives about workflow of CDSS were studied. Finally workflow of DSS of control program was designed by standard clinical practice guidelines and perspectives.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Screening minimum data set of national colorectal cancer screening program was defined in five sections, including colonoscopy data set, surgery, pathology, genetics and pedigree data set. Deficiencies and information gaps were analyzed. Then we designed a work process standard of screening. Finally workflow of DSS and entry stage were determined.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A CDSS facilitates complex decision making for screening and has key roles in designing optimal interactions between colonoscopy, pathology and laboratory departments. Also workflow analysis is useful to identify data reconciliation strategies to address documentation gaps. Following recommendations of CDSS should improve quality of colorectal cancer screening.
authors.affiliation: School of Allied Medical Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran E-mail : elhammaserat@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Elham
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Maserat
authors.forename: Seiede Sedigheh
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Seied Farajollah
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Safdari
authors.forename: Marjan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ghazisaeedi
authors.forename: Hamid Asadzadeh
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Aghdaei
authors.forename: Mohammad Reza
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Zali
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D002984:Clinical Laboratory Information Systems; D003113:Colonoscopy; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D020000:Decision Support Systems, Clinical; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D006801:Humans; D016247:Information Storage and Retrieval / Q000592:standards*; D007492:Iran; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012984:Software; D018511:Systems Integration; D057188:Workflow