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CARDIOVASCULAR
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Volume 8, 2003, No 1-2 |
The "Virtual Patient" as a Calibration
Tool for Multicentric Quality Assessment
U. Tochtermann, B. R. Osswald, G. Thomas, I. Carl*, C. F. Vahl, S. Hagl
Background: Scientific databases depend on a standardized
data acquisition. This is especially true for multicentric projects, where
intrainstitutional habits and definitions potentially contort the results. To
improve the reliability of the primary data of the HVMD (Heidelberger Verein
für multizentrische Datenanalyse e.V.), the "virtual patient" was
developed.
Methods: A CD-ROM containing data about the "patient"
characterized by texts, images, video sequences and results of laboratory
analyses also contains the standardized forms of the HVMD. The CD-ROM can be
used for either self-evaluation of the user and for the determination of
potentially ill-defined items by multiple users.
Results: The "virtual patient" allows to perform a
self-evaluation and self-control of the users’ documentation standard. Since
the "virtual patient" can also be used as a training tool, the
optimization of documentation standard can be achieved, independent of the
individual level of experience.
Conclusion: To improve the quality of primary data and consequently
contribute to more reliable analyses, the "virtual patient" was
developed. However, any scientific data base needs a strategy to maintain the
quality of the primary data. The "virtual patient" bears not only the
chance of a self-assessment, but also the identification of ill-defined
variables. Therefore, the new tool contributes to an optimized standardization
and quality of data bases.
(CVE. 2003; 8 (1/2): 104-108)
Key words: scientific data base, primary data, quality
assurance
Ursula Tochtermann, M.D.
Department of Cardiac Surgery
University of Heidelberg
Im Neuenheimer Feld 110
D-69120 Heidelberg
Germany
E-mail: ursula_tochtermann@med.uni-heidelberg.de
PABST SCIENCE PUBLISHERS
Lengerich, Berlin, Riga, Rom,
Wien, Zagreb