EPIQuest: A Multiuser and Multiproject Web Tool to Build Online Forms for Biomedical Studies

Abstract

The growth, both in size and complexity, of current biomedical studies requires semi-automated and user-friendly computer tools to facilitate electronic data capture and reporting. However, existing tools are expensive (researchers aren´t able to pay for them) or they are too specifically developed that they cannot be extended to other applications. EPIQuest, an academic-research environment developed tool, overcome these limitations. EPIQuest is a multiuser web-based form building tool, with the capacity to manage multiple studies, each with multiple and multi-language questionnaires. It complies with all IT security and data protection legislation, including user authentication and role-based restrictions. Daily back-ups and a log files for audits complement the security of the application. We describe the performance of the EPIQuest in accommodating multiple international studies with several users working on various questionnaires in real time by secure web connection. We also compare EPIQuest with other similar tools.