USES OF A COMPUTER DATABASE TO SUPPORT RESEARCH PRACTICE INTEGRATION IN A TRAINING CLINIC

The success of the scientist-practitioner model may depend on the integration of research and practice in primary training settings. Computer databases may help to achieve this goal. This article explains what a database is, describes an example of a research database in a training clinic, and delineates several ways that a database can support clinical research in these settings. In addition to the basic functions of data entry, storage, and retrieval, 3 less obvious functions are described that may be of particular relevance to clinical research: (a) the management and analysis of text, (b) the interactive exploration of patterns in diverse forms of information, and (c) the empirical development of natural classification systems through database design.