Integrating QMR with a computer-based patient record.

Most diagnostic decision support (DDS) systems are used as stand-alone applications. At present, the physician can only benefit from the suggestions of a DDS system if he is sufficiently motivated to re-enter patient data and run a diagnostic case analysis. If data from a computer-based patient record (CBPR) could be made available electronically to a DDS system, the use of that DDS system may become much more practical. Integrating a CBPR with a DDS system requires a mapping between two different data structures and dictionaries. We have explored a strategy to create a mapping between our CBPR and QMR. Our research has provided more general insight in the potential and limitations of such a mapping.