An external software company (IT-Choice) programmed the study software for the most commonly used practice software systems.
This might be explained by the differences in data linkage between practice software systems and the hospital's information system.
The CTA tool was programmed for, and worked with, the 9 most commonly used practice software systems in Germany.
Linking the DOSING software directly to the study practices' electronic health records (EHR) was not feasible, because of the many different practice software systems in use.
HealthTracker interfaces with the two Australian clinical practice software systems most commonly used in general practice and ACCHS settings (Medical Director and Best Practice).
Patient recruitment and progress through the LGM intervention was tracked by data recorded in the Egton Medical Information System EMISS) or similar practice software systems.
The only requirements for practice staff participation in the study were willingness, an Internet connection and the use of one of the 9 most common practice software systems in Germany.
The design of the early general practice software systems (many of which continue in use in developed forms) grew out of the personal preferences for particular styles of medical record of the general practitioners who designed and used the systems.
This CTA-tool runs in the background of the practice software system and automatically identifies all possible study participants.
5 The CPRD GOLD database collates records from a widely used General Practice software system and covers approximately 8.8% of the UK population.
