GOG meets RPMIS. Experience with computerized data management in a cooperative group setting

The Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) is a multiinstitutional, multidisciplinary cooperative group. Its clinical trials encompass the planning, initiation, execution, analysis, and presentation of results of management and treatment of patients with gynecologic cancer. The GOG Statistical Office, located at Roswell Park Memorial Institute, is responsible for data management and analysis of all patients entered into GOG protocols. Present annual accrual is approximately 1,600 patients; 37 protocols are active, while follow-up continues on 9 studies that are closed to patient entry. RPMIS is a formatted video-based system of programs for file creation, data entry, editing, updating, retrieval, and report generation. It has been utilized in more than 500 intrainstitutional research studies at Roswell Park. In the past, data management for the GOG had been based on computer entry via punched cards, and on hand-filled reports. The switch to RPMIS used required major reorganization of the data-handling process and was first attempted on a limited basis. As the advantages of RPMIS became evident, the whole data management operation was gradually converted to the new system. In this paper, batch processing and RPMIS utilization are compared and contrasted in terms of time saved, human engineering, quality control, and satisfaction of information requests.