Author: Andrea Harris, BSBA, MBA
Primary Advisor: Irmgard Willcockson, PhD
Committee Members: M. Sriram Iyengar, PhD
Masters thesis, The University of Texas School of Biomedical Informatics at Houston.
Abstract:
Use of a database during the implementation of a pilot project has the potential to assist the pilot in meeting its outcomes and goals. Amerigroup is piloting a childhood obesity program focusing on the development of best practices in a Texas market. A database for the pilot was designed using fundamental relational database theory in the development of the database structure and using UFuRT, a user-centered framework, in the design of a user interface. Developing a stand-alone database to support the pilot will capture manual data entry through the user interface and all automated encounter activities in one application. This allows for monitoring of compliance, focuses on goals, and enables immediate review to make adjustments to the pilot’s structure of encounters and community services. The database not only supports the pilot’s activities, but also provides actionable information that can help drive best practices for the intervention of childhood obesity.