Best Practice for the Design of Forms

Abstract

A major objective following the 1997 amalgamation of three health services in Ballarat, Victoria, was the integration of the three discrete medical records into one system. This article describes the multidisciplinary collaboration, under the leadership of health information managers, that played a critical role in this project. Standards and best-practice evidence were used to inform new guidelines for forms design and development. This was complemented by another project to develop best-practice guidelines for producing consumer information with a focus on readability. Issues related to designing electronic forms were considered, but further work is required so that best-practice principles are available to guide designers. A sub-committee has been established with delegated authority to approve all forms. Initial evaluations have demonstrated marked improvements in the quality of new and revised forms.