Custom dialog to choose a layout

[mikekimg]

Question from non-developer novice health care person...

 

My db functions as an electronic medical record system. I need a custom dialog that allows me to choose from 2 different layouts when I hit a button. Exact example - from a Patient Information layout, I want to click on a button labeled "New Note" that will then launch a custom dialog with two options - "Progress Note" or "Updated Plan of Care."

 

I currently am doing this by having 2 different buttons on the layout itself, but this is creating some confusion. I simply don't understand custom dialogs and where I'm supposed to put the script itself telling the buttons on the dialog what to do.

 

If it's helpful, I can upload a copy of my db. Thanks for any help.

[Techphan]

Question from non-developer novice health care person...

 

Greetings from non-developer health care person

 

My db functions as an electronic medical record system. I need a custom dialog that allows me to choose from 2 different layouts when I hit a button. Exact example - from a Patient Information layout, I want to click on a button labeled "New Note" that will then launch a custom dialog with two options - "Progress Note" or "Updated Plan of Care."

 

What "logic" are you using to decide which layout ("Progress Note" or "Care Plan") to go to?

 

In other words, you are at a Patient Information layout. You choose one button to go to ProgressNote Layout and another button to go to CarePlan Layout.

 

Each of those is one button.

 

You mentioned clicking on a button to "Add Note" which brings up a menu of sorts (custom dialog box) which prompts you to click another button.

 

Two button pushes. And frankly, why is this any less confusing then choosing the correct note from the original layout?

 

 

Is there something that FM could "anticipate" what you want to do to save yourself the confusion you are speaking of?

 

 

 

If it's helpful, I can upload a copy of my db. Thanks for any help.

 

Yes, it probably would be helpful. Perhaps you can "clone" your DB to give us a blank one so as to avoid confidentiality issues.

[mikekimg]

Hi, thanks for your reply. Sorry about the delay...been away.

 

To answer, the logic is based on what is required to continue patient care. Sometimes it's a note requiring a signature (Plan of Care), sometimes it's simply a courtesy note to let the referring MD know what's going on (Progress note or DC note). I'm not quite sure if FM could anticipate what's needed, as Congress doesn't even understand Medicare!

 

As far as 2 button pushes being more work, I agree with you. The problem is my test user keeps pushing the wrong button when presented with 3 clearly marked buttons. I thought this might happen less if users simply clicked "New note" and then were forced to choose the right one from a dialog. Maybe or maybe not...but I'd like to try it. I'm also trying to cut down on the number of things on the page to make it simpler to look at.

 

Thanks for the reply.

[mikekimg]

Before anyone goes further, I figured it out (bought a nifty book on FM and it explains custom dialogs pretty well).

 

The solution is to create a script using the Get (LastMessageChoice) condition. If anyone wants more detailed info, email me and I can at least give you a copy of the script I wrote based on the example in my book.

 

We'll see if it eliminates pushing the wrong button (or simply shunts the problem one step further). It definitely helps reduce page clutter.