Can I create a program utilizing Access?

[chirochrisf]

I am a chiropractor who wants to create a universal program to clinically
diagnose low back complaints. The questions I have are:
1. Can I create a program (utilizing Access) that others can use even if
they don't have Access?
2 The essence of my idea is to create a program where a chiropractor can
enter numerous types of information (symptoms, neurological test results,
muscle test results, etc) and eventually produce one or more diagnoses. (This
is just an example, but I would want to be able to enter any number of inputs
and come out with a specific output that meets that criteria).
3. Given the information above, would Access be the best program to use, or
would Excel be adequate (I am much more versed in Excel than Access, but
willing to learn Access if it were more applicable).
Thanks!

 

[Chris2]

I am a chiropractor who wants to create a universal program to clinically
diagnose low back complaints. The questions I have are:
1. Can I create a program (utilizing Access) that others can use even if
they don't have Access?

That depends on what version of Access you have, and whether you had
the developer extensions (which look like they will be free for Access
2007, but cost you extra before).

If you only have Access, other people would need Access in order to
run your application.

If you had the developer extensions, you could create an application
where other people wouldn't need Access.

2 The essence of my idea is to create a program where a chiropractor can
enter numerous types of information (symptoms, neurological test results,
muscle test results, etc) and eventually produce one or more

diagnoses.

I know what you are trying to do. Depending on the *exact* level of
capability you are asking from the software, this could be very tricky
indeed.

If you only want to enter some symptoms and have a search conducted
for conditions that have matching symptoms, that would be easier.

You would, of course, need a database listing all the symptom keywords
associated (properly) with the conditions. You would also need to use
those symptom keywords when entering search information.

I can't imagine that a database of symptoms and conditions would be
easy to enter the data for by hand (typing it in).

(This
is just an example, but I would want to be able to enter any number of inputs
and come out with a specific output that meets that criteria).

That is possible. It is what databases are good at.

3. Given the information above, would Access be the best program to

use, or

"Best" is a relative term. I think Access could do the job based on
your description.

would Excel be adequate (I am much more versed in Excel than Access, but
willing to learn Access if it were more applicable).

I am more versed in MS Access than in MS Excel.

If you are comfortable with using and programming MS Excel, and you
know it can do everything you want it do, then by all means, use it.

If you do not think MS Excel can do the job based on what you know,
then perhaps MS Access is right for the job. It does seem that you
will require additional time to get up to speed using MS Access, and
you need to factor that into your decision making.


Sincerely,

Chris O.

 

[John W. Vinson]

I am a chiropractor who wants to create a universal program to clinically
diagnose low back complaints. The questions I have are:
1. Can I create a program (utilizing Access) that others can use even if
they don't have Access?

Not in the sense of compiling a database into an executable program, no. The
user must have *some* version of the Access executable program (and they must
have an up to date Windows computer to run it, e.g. not a Mac).

You can purchase the appropriate "Access Developers Edition" which gives you a
license to distribute a royalty-free runtime version of Access. A2007's
runtime will be available free... but it's not out yet.

2 The essence of my idea is to create a program where a chiropractor can
enter numerous types of information (symptoms, neurological test results,
muscle test results, etc) and eventually produce one or more diagnoses. (This
is just an example, but I would want to be able to enter any number of inputs
and come out with a specific output that meets that criteria).

Gnnnnnn....

Sorry. Computers simply are NOT that intelligent. You're talking about
replicating an extremely complex, partially intellectual and partially
intuitive, experience driven human skill in a very limited computer. There is
diagnostic software out there - it's complex, it's very expensive, and it is
used *as one tool among others* by skilled medical people.

I would NOT trust any such program with my health, given the current state of
the technology. I wouldn't mind a chiropractor or a MD *using* such a program
as an aide-memorie or idea jogger, but if anyone claimed to be able to put in
symptoms and have a reliable diagnosis pop up, I'd run for the exit.

3. Given the information above, would Access be the best program to use, or
would Excel be adequate (I am much more versed in Excel than Access, but
willing to learn Access if it were more applicable).
Thanks!

Five years work in C++ or some other development environment, with
participation by highly experienced diagnosticians, artificial intelligence
experts, and skilled programmers might be adequate.


John W. Vinson [MVP]