Patent Publication Number: US-2013231943-A1

Title: Medical information input apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-171391, filed on Aug. 4, 2011, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an input support technology for implementation data pertaining to examinations or the like. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In order to improve operability for data entry, a technology has been suggested as follows. Two display apparatuses are prepared. An image display means then displays form image data that has been transmitted on a first display apparatus, and an input screen control means searches a screen display table for a data input screen that is suitable for a corresponding form by using, as a key, accompanying data that has been transmitted so as to display the data input screen on a second display apparatus (for example, see JP 11-224302). 
     For the purpose of development in medical technologies, multiple medical facilities such as hospitals and institutions often set a research theme in cooperation and perform academic research in collaboration. By gathering diagnostic information on numerous patients in multiple medical facilities, the reliability of statistical data can be improved, and opportunities can be provided for discussions by many doctors. In order to efficiently collect data from multiple medical facilities, medical facilities participating in academic research install a program for generating data input screen for the academic research in their systems so as to create an environment that allows medical professionals such as doctors to input data exhaustively that is necessary for the academic research. 
     On a daily basis, when a doctor performs an examination or makes a diagnosis, the doctor puts records thereof together in a report. Therefore, a doctor who has performed an examination or the like that is subject to academic research needs to start a data input screen designated for the academic research so as to enter an examination record for the academic research after the doctor makes a report by entering the examination record in a data input screen designated for daily examination tasks. 
     However, as is well known, since doctors are often very busy, they often forget to start a data input screen designated for academic research. Therefore, it is preferred to provide a mechanism that prevents a doctor from forgetting to enter data for academic research when the doctor enters a daily examination record. In general, a medical record prepared for academic research is not the same as that for daily tasks. However, sometimes there is some data that is the same. Therefore, it is preferred to provide an input mechanism that does not cause an inconsistency in both medical records. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In this background, a purpose of the present invention is to provide a technology for efficiently entering implementation data pertaining to examinations or the like. 
     An medical information input apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: a display control unit configured to generate a first input screen for entering information on medical practices and a second input screen for entering information on academic research; an input reception unit configured to receive information input entered from a user on the first input screen and the second input screen; a recording unit configured to record the information entered through the first input screen and the second input screen; a requirement storage unit configured to store a requirement for generating the second input screen; and a determination unit configured to determine whether or not the requirement stored in the requirement storage unit is satisfied. When the determination unit determines that the information received from the user on the first input screen by the input reception unit satisfies the requirement stored in the requirement storage unit, the display control unit generates the second input screen on condition that a predetermined button created on the first input screen has been pressed. 
     Optional combinations of the aforementioned constituting elements and implementations of the invention in the form of methods, apparatuses, systems, recording mediums, and computer programs may also be practiced as additional modes of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings that are meant to be exemplary, not limiting, and wherein like elements are numbered alike in several figures, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating the entire configuration of an academic research execution system in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a medical information input apparatus; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating a system start and end screen of an endoscopic examination system; 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating an examination task main screen; 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating a screen showing a list of examinations unregistered in a report; 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating a report input screen; 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating a research data input screen; 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating a report input screen in which a display button for the research data input screen is created; 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram illustrating a selection window for selecting an academic research theme; 
         FIG. 10  is a diagram illustrating another example of a selection window for selecting an academic research theme; 
         FIG. 11  is a diagram illustrating an example of a GUI for linking master data for academic research to master data for an endoscopic examination; 
         FIG. 12  is a diagram illustrating an example where master data items are associated with each other; 
         FIG. 13  is a diagram illustrating a selection window displayed during report entry; 
         FIG. 14  is a diagram illustrating a condition where an item in the selection window is being selected; and 
         FIG. 15  is a diagram illustrating a research data input screen. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention will now be described by reference to the preferred embodiments. This does not intend to limit the scope of the present invention, but to exemplify the invention. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates the entire configuration of an academic research execution system  1  in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In the academic research execution system  1 , there exist an academic research information management server  4 , which manages information on academic research in an integrated manner, and academic research participating facilities  6   a  through  6   c  (hereinafter, referred to as “academic research participating facilities  6 ” when no distinction is to be made), which participate in the academic research. The academic research information management server  4  provides the academic research participating facilities  6  with master data that is used for the academic research and aggregates implementation data collected by the academic research participating facilities  6  so as to perform a statistical process. The academic research participating facilities  6   a  through  6   c  are provided with medical information input apparatuses  10   a  through  10   c  (hereinafter, referred to as “medical information input apparatuses  10 ” when no distinction is to be made) for entering and collecting implementation data used for the academic research. 
     The academic research information management server  4  and the medical information input apparatuses  10  can exchange data via a network  2  such as the Internet. The academic research information management server  4  transmits, to the medical information input apparatuses  10  via the network  2 , a program for generating a data input screen for academic research, a requirement for generating the data input screen for the academic research, and master data that defines data to be collected for the academic research. In the academic research execution system  1 , it is not a necessary requirement to connect the academic research information management server  4  with the medical information input apparatuses  10  via the network  2 . The program for generating the data input screen for the academic research, and the like may be recorded in a portable recording medium and provided to the medical information input apparatuses  10  off-line. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the configuration of a medical information input apparatus  10 . A medical information input apparatus  10  is provided with a display control unit  12 , a determination unit  14 , an input reception unit  16 , a table generation unit  18 , a linkage processing unit  20 , an acquisition unit  22 , a requirement setting unit  24 , a display  28 , and a recording unit  44 . The configuration of each medical information input apparatus  10  is implemented by hardware such as a processor, a memory, or other LSIs and by software such as a program or the like loaded into the memory.  FIG. 2  depicts functional blocks implemented by the cooperation of hardware and software. Thus, a person skilled in the art should appreciate that there are many ways of accomplishing these functional blocks in various forms in accordance with the components of hardware only, software only, or the combination of both. 
     A medical information input apparatus  10  has a function of generating a report input screen for medical personnel (hereinafter, referred to as “medical professionals”) such as doctors or the like to record daily examination tasks and then recording implementation data for examinations, etc., that is entered by a medical professional. 
     This function is called a “report input function” and provided to the medical information input apparatus  10  as a basic function in order to record results of medical practices. Furthermore, the medical information input apparatus  10  according to the present exemplary embodiment also has a function of generating a data input screen for recording data for academic research and recording data entered by a medical professional. 
     First, in reference to  FIGS. 3-6 , an explanation is given regarding a screen transition related to the report input function, which is defined as a basic function. The display control unit  12  generates each screen by executing an examination data input screen generation program  30  and displays the screen on the display  28 . In the present exemplary embodiment, an explanation is given regarding a case where a medical information input apparatus  10  is incorporated in an endoscopic examination system and where a medical professional performs an endoscopic examination as a medical practice. The type of the medical practice may be another type of an examination or operation. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a system start and end screen  51  of the endoscopic examination system. The system start and end screen  51  displays an examination task icon  52 , a conference icon  53 , a statistics and history icon  54 , and a management function icon  55 . Upon login of a medical professional by entering his/her user ID and password, respective functions corresponding to the icons become activatable. When the medical professional selects an end button  50 , the system is ended. 
     An “examination task” function is a function used in a normal endoscopic examination task. A series of examination tasks, such as patient reception, pretreatment implementation entry, image capturing, implementation entry, report entry, and the like, can be performed. 
     A “conference” function allows for a search for an examination, presentation of an examination image, and presentation and editing of an examination report. 
     A “statistics and history” function allows for aggregation of various types of data (monthly reports, yearly reports, implementation list (daily reports), and data list by unrestricted-item settings) and for a search for a scope use history or an examination that requires follow-ups. 
     A “management function” is a function operated by a system manager, and access restrictions are imposed for the implementation of the function. Various types of settings used in the system, verification and integration of orders, display of transmission logs, and the like can be performed. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an examination task main screen  58 . In the system start and end screen  51  shown in  FIG. 3 , the examination task main screen  58  shown in  FIG. 4  is started when a medical professional selects the examination task icon  52 . On the left side of the screen, icons that correspond to respective examination tasks are arranged. Upon selection of an icon by the medical professional, a corresponding screen will be started. Arranged on the left side of the screen are a patient reception icon  59 , a pretreatment input icon  60 , an image-capturing icon  61 , an implementation input icon  62 , a report input icon  63 , an examination status list icon  64 , and an examination order button  65 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a screen  72  showing a list of examinations unregistered in a report. Upon selection of the report input icon  63  by the medical professional on the examination task main screen  58  shown in  FIG. 4 , the screen  72  showing a list of examinations unregistered in a report, which is shown in  FIG. 5 , is started. The screen  72  showing a list of examinations unregistered in a report displays a patient&#39;s examination list  73  of examinations that have not been entered in a report. Shown in the examination list  73  is information for specifying examinations for which a report has not been made. As shown in the figure, the examination list  73  displays “examination time”, “patient ID”, “patient name”, “in/out” (information specifying whether or not a patient is an inpatient or an outpatient), and “examination item”. Based on these pieces of information, a medical professional selects an examination for which a report is to be made. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a report input screen  100 . 
     Upon selection of an examination (patient) by the medical professional on the screen  72  showing a list of examinations unregistered in a report, which is shown in  FIG. 5 , the report input screen  100  shown in  FIG. 6  is started. An examination for a patient “Taro Yamada” is being selected in the figure. A left column of the report input screen  100  displays patient information and examination information that are linked to an examination performed on the patient “Taro Yamada”. The patient information is read out from a patient database (not shown). The examination information is read out from an examination information database (not shown) using the ID of the selected examination as a key. Both pieces of information are then entered in the left column of the report input screen  100 . 
     A right column of the report input screen  100  displays three parts, “esophagus”, “stomach”, and “duodenum”, as the names of organs of a human body for which a report is to be entered. As shown in  FIG. 6 , there are areas in the report input screen  100 : an area for entering observations, diagnosis, and treatment for each part of a human body; an area for entering comprehensive diagnosis; and, furthermore, an area for entering various comments/scopes used/additional items. 
     The medical professional selects the parts (esophagus, stomach, and duodenum) on which an endoscopic examination has been performed and enters observations, diagnosis, and treatment for the respective parts. The medical professional also selects the “comprehensive diagnosis” and enters comprehensive diagnosis. The medical professional further selects “various comments/scopes used/additional items” and enters necessary matters in accordance with preset items. For example, an input item for registering an examination purpose is included in the “various comments/scopes used/additional items”. Upon receiving input from the medical professional on the report input screen  100 , the input reception unit  16  records received information in a report recording unit  34  as data that constitutes a report. When the medical professional selects a registration button  80 , contents that have been entered are registered as a report, and the generation of the report is ended. 
     As described, when the display control unit  12  executes the examination data input screen generation program  30 , the patient information and the examination information to be displayed on the left column are acquired from the respective databases, and the report input screen  100  is generated. Then, when the input reception unit  16  receives report entry from the medical professional and then records the report entry in the report recording unit  34 , the report is generated. 
     In addition to the above-stated report input function, a medical information input apparatus  10  according to the present exemplary embodiment realizes an academic research data input function. In the medical information input apparatus  10 , the report input function and the academic research data input function are realized in cooperation with each other, and the medical information input apparatus  10  provides a mechanism that allows for smooth entry of academic research data when or after a medical professional enters a report. Also, a mechanism is provided that reflects, when data to be entered in a report and data to be entered for academic research are the same or substantially the same, input to one side as input to the other side. 
     An explanation is given in the following regarding preconditions for the medical information input apparatus  10  to realize the academic research data input function. 
     The acquisition unit  22  acquires, from the academic research information management server  4 , a program for generating a data input screen for academic research, a requirement for generating the data input screen for the academic research, and master data that defines data to be collected for the academic research and stores the acquired program, requirement, and master data in the recording unit  44 . In the recording unit  44 , a condition where a research data input screen generation program  32  is recorded is shown. When the display control unit  12  executes the research data input screen generation program  32 , the data input screen for the academic research is generated and displayed on the display  28 . 
     A requirement storage unit  38  stores the requirement for generating the data input screen for the academic research. This requirement for the generation is used to determine whether or not to generate the data input screen for the academic research. A medical information input apparatus  10  according to the present exemplary embodiment supports entry of data for academic research when a medical professional makes a report. Therefore, while input support is provided for academic research that is associated with the report being made, it is not necessary to provide input support for academic research that is not associated. The medical information input apparatus  10  determines, using the requirement stored in the requirement storage unit  38 , whether or not it is necessary to provide input support for data used for academic research and provides the input support only when it is determined necessary. 
     A master data recording unit  42  records master data in academic research. Master data constitutes data collected for academic research. The research data input screen generation program  32  generates a data input screen for the academic research by using master data recorded in the master data recording unit  42 . 
     If a plurality of pieces of academic research are in progress in the academic research participating facilities  6 , the respective acquisition units  22  acquire, for each piece of academic research, a program, a requirement, and master data for generating a data input screen designated for academic research and store the acquired program, requirement, and master data in the recording unit  44 . The requirement for the generation of a research data input screen stored in the respective requirement storage units  38  may be editable in a medical information input apparatus  10 . For example, in a case where a plurality of doctors belong to the academic research participating facilities  6 , some doctors participate in academic research, while other doctors do not participate. If doctors who are participating in academic research are identified for each academic research participating facility  6  in the academic research information management server  4 , information identifying the doctors may be included in a requirement acquired by respective acquisition units  22  from the academic research information management server  4 . However, in reality, the academic research information management server  4  often does not keep in track of such information, and doctors who are participating in academic research are often determined fluidly in the academic research participating facilities  6 . Thus, in each academic research participating facility  6 , a manager is allowed to modify or change a requirement stored in a requirement storage unit  38  through a requirement setting unit  24 . Note that an acquisition unit  22  does not necessarily acquire a requirement for the generation of a data input screen for academic research from the academic research information management server  4 . In this case, a manager will set the requirement through a requirement setting unit  24 . 
     In the following, it is assumed that a research theme titled “Upper Endoscopy Atrophy and CA Related Study” is in progress as single academic research. The requirement storage unit  38  stores requirements for generating a data input screen for the study theme “Upper Endoscopy Atrophy and CA Related Study”. Requirements for generating a research data input screen can be divided into requirements related to medical professionals who are participating in the research theme, requirements related to examinations, and the like. 
     &lt;Requirements Related to Medical Professionals&gt; 
     Requirements related to medical professionals are often set by a manager of an academic research participating facility  6  through a requirement setting unit  24  mainly in a medical information input apparatus  10 . 
     It is preferred that a research data input screen be started when a medical professional participating in academic research is logged into an endoscopic examination system. On the other hand, it is not preferred that the research data input screen be started when a medical professional who is not participating in the academic research is logged in. Therefore, a manager of the medical information input apparatus  10  includes, through a requirement setting unit  24 , the IDs of participating medical professionals in requirements for generating research data input screen in advance for each academic research theme. For example, it is possible to separate people who are entering data based on the authority of medical professionals. For example, it is a case where doctors are allowed to enter data while assistants such as technicians and the like are not allowed to enter data. In such a case, the manager of the medical information input apparatus  10  sets, through the requirement setting unit  24 , a requirement for generating a screen such that doctors are given a permission to enter data while assistants are not given a permission to enter data. 
     In the medical information input apparatus  10 , information on a medical professional is identified by a user ID that is entered in the system start and end screen  51  shown in  FIG. 3 . If a requirement related to medical professionals has been set as the requirement for generating a screen, the determination unit  14  determines whether or not the requirement is satisfied based on: the requirement that has been set; the name of a medical professional identified by a user ID; the authority of the medical professional; and the like. 
     &lt;Requirements Related to Examinations&gt; 
     Requirements related to examinations are set in the academic research information management server  4  and distributed to a plurality of academic research participating facilities  6 . 
     A typical requirement related to examinations is an examination type. In the case of general endoscopic examinations, a type specifying either an upper endoscopic examination or a lower endoscopic examination is often determined to be an academic research theme. Requirements related to various examinations are set according to an academic research theme such as a specific case, a diagnostic outcome, patient&#39;s sex, age, etc. If a requirement related to examinations has been set as the requirement for generating a screen, the determination unit  14  determines whether or not the requirement related to the examinations is satisfied in a condition where a report input screen is being generated. 
     An explanation is given regarding a requirement determination process performed by the determination unit  14 . 
     In a condition where the display control unit  12  is generating a report input screen, the determination unit  14  determines whether or not a requirement stored in the requirement storage unit  38  is satisfied. When the report input screen is displayed on the display  28 , the medical professional enters an examination status, a diagnostic outcome, and the like so as to generate a report. The report thus generated includes information constituting the report input screen before the data entry by the medical professional. The determination unit  14  determines whether or not the information constituting the report input screen and the information entered through the report input screen by the medical professional satisfy the requirement stored in the requirement storage unit  38 . 
     The “information constituting the report input screen” includes patient information and examination information that are displayed on the left column in the report input screen  100  shown in  FIG. 6 . Included in the left column of the report input screen  100  are the patient information and the examination information. The patient information includes the name, sex, date of birth, and the like of a patient. The examination information includes an examination type, an examination item, an examination date and time, and the like. If the patient&#39;s sex, age, etc., are included in the requirement stored in the requirement storage unit  38 , the determination unit  14  determines whether or not the requirement is satisfied in reference to the patient information. 
     The “information entered through the report input screen” includes input information such as an examination status, a diagnostic outcome, and the like entered by the medical professional in the report input screen  100  shown in  FIG. 6 . In other words, the “information entered through the report input screen” corresponds to substantial contents of a report to be generated and includes information such as symptoms of a patient, the status of progress of the symptoms, and the like. If the requirement storage unit  38  stores a specific symptom as the requirement for generating a screen, the determination unit  14  determines that the requirement for generating the screen related to the symptom is satisfied when the symptom is entered into the report input screen  100  by the medical professional. 
     To explain using an example shown in  FIG. 6 , if an examination item is set to be an upper endoscopy as the requirement stored in the requirement storage unit  38 , an examination item of the report is also an upper endoscopy as shown in the left column of the report input screen  100 . Therefore, the determination unit  14  determines that the examination information of the report satisfies the requirement stored in the requirement storage unit  38 . For example, if the examination item is set to be a lower endoscopy as the requirement stored in the requirement storage unit  38 , the determination unit  14  determines that the examination information of the report does not satisfy the requirement stored in the requirement storage unit  38 . 
     When the determination unit  14  determines that the requirement stored in the requirement storage unit  38  is satisfied, the display control unit  12  generates a data input screen for academic research on condition that a predetermined button created on the report input screen  100  has been pressed. The data input screen for academic research may be directly generated by pressing the predetermined button. Alternatively, the data input screen for academic research may be generated via a selection window for selecting an academic research theme, as described later. In the example shown in  FIG. 6 , the medical professional enters implementation data for the examination into the report input screen  100 , and, when the generation of the report is completed by pressing the registration button  80 , the display control unit  12  generates the data input screen for academic research upon the pressing of the registration button  80 . As described, the display control unit  12  automatically generates the data input screen for related academic research on condition that the registration button  80  for showing the completion of the entry of the report has been pressed. This prevents the medical professional from forgetting to enter data for the academic research so that the medical professional can enter data that is necessary for the academic research in conjunction with daily tasks. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a research data input screen  110 . If the registration button  80  is pressed while the requirement stored in the requirement storage unit  38  is being satisfied, the display control unit  12  reads out the research data input screen generation program  32  from the recording unit  44  and executes the research data input screen generation program  32 . This allows the medical professional to complete the generation of the report and to uninterruptedly enter data for the academic research into the research data input screen  110 . As described, by linking the entry of the report with the entry of the academic research data, tasks of the busy medical professionals can be smoothly supported. 
     In order to provide a reminder for the entry of the implementation data for the academic research in association with the report being entered, the display control unit  12  may actively create a button for displaying a research data input screen in addition to the registration button  80 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a report input screen  100  in which a display button  120  for the research data input screen is generated. When the determination unit  14  determines that the requirement stored in the requirement storage unit  38  is satisfied, the display control unit  12  generates, on the report input screen  100 , the display button  120  for displaying the research data input screen  110 . By checking the display button  120  being displayed, the medical professional can remember to enter the implementation data for the academic research. Also, by pressing the display button  120 , the medical professional can display the research data input screen  110  on the display  28 . 
     When the requirement stored in the requirement storage unit  38  is satisfied, the display control unit  12  generates the display button  120  on the report input screen  100 . Therefore, if the determination unit  14  determines that the entered implementation data satisfies the requirement for generating the screen stored in the requirement storage unit  38  while the medical professional is entering the implementation data into the report input screen  100 , the display control unit  12  generates the display button  120  at that timing. The requirement storage unit  38  stores requirements for generating a screen for a plurality of academic research themes. Thus, it is preferred that the display control unit  12  show the medical professional that data entry is necessary for a plurality of pieces of academic research if the requirements for generating a screen for the plurality of academic research themes are being satisfied when the report input screen  100  is displayed. Therefore, for example, the number of pieces of related academic research may be included inside or near the display button  120 . Alternatively, the same number of display buttons  120  as the number of corresponding items of academic research may be displayed. Furthermore, the notation of a display button  120  may be changed from commonly-used “academic research”, as shown in the figure, to a notation that allows for the identification of academic research, and separate display buttons  120  may be generated. This allows the medical professional to learn the number of academic research themes for which data entry is to be performed. 
     As described previously, a direct transition to a research data input screen  110  may be performed after a display button  120  is pressed. Alternatively, a selection window for selecting an academic research theme may be displayed once so that a transition to a research data input screen  110  is performed after the medical professional selects an academic research theme. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a selection window  122  for selecting an academic research theme. This selection window  122  may be displayed in a superimposed manner on the report input screen  100  shown in  FIG. 8 . In the selection window  122 , the titles of all academic research themes that are in progress in the academic research participating facilities  6  are displayed, as noted as “displaying all” in the upper right. For an academic research theme related to a report being generated, in other words, for an academic research theme for which a requirement for generating a screen is determined to be satisfied by the determination unit  14 , a check box is created on the left side of a theme title. By entering a check in the check box, the medical professional can select the academic research theme. 
     In the selection window  122  shown in  FIG. 9 , a theme, “Upper Endoscopy Atrophy and CA Related Study”, is related to the report being generated. Therefore, when the medical professional enters a check in the check box and presses an OK button, the display control unit  12  generates a research data input screen  110  for “Upper Endoscopy Atrophy and CA Related Study” and displays the generated research data input screen  110  on the display  28 . If a plurality of academic research themes are related to the report being generated, a check box is created on the left side of each theme title. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates another example of a selection window  124  for selecting an academic research theme. As “refining search” is displayed in the upper right, this selection window  124  displays only the title of an academic research theme related to the report being generated, that is, an academic research theme for which a requirement for generating a screen is determined to be satisfied by the determination unit  14 . In the selection window  124 , only the theme title, “Upper Endoscopy Atrophy and CA Related Study”, is displayed. If a plurality of academic research themes are related to the report being generated, respective theme titles are displayed, and a check box is created on the left side of each of the theme titles. When the medical professional enters a check in the check box and presses an OK button, the display control unit  12  generates a research data input screen  110  and displays the generated research data input screen  110  on the display  28 . 
     Explained above is a function for a transition from the report input screen  100  to the research data input screen  110 . This function allows the medical professional to remember to enter data for academic research after report entry, and efficient support can thus be provided for medical professional&#39;s tasks. 
     In general, a medical record for daily tasks entered in a report is not the same as a medical record entered for academic research. However, some data is often the same. As described above, the medical information input apparatus  10  according to the present exemplary embodiment sequentially displays a research data input screen  110  after a report input screen  100  on the display  28  so as to support data entry performed by a medical professional. However, it is not preferred that a different value be entered for the same input item by mistake in each of the data input screens. Thus, the medical information input apparatus  10  has a function of processing information entered for an item of the report input screen  100  as information entered for the same item in the research data input screen  110 . 
     If a plurality of pieces of academic research are in progress in the same academic research participating facility  6 , there may be items that are the same among respective master data items of the academic research. Thus, for a plurality of academic research themes, the medical information input apparatus  10  also has a function of processing, for items that are the same, information entered in one research data input screen  110  as information entered in other research data input screens  110 . 
     In order to achieve this data linkage function, the table generation unit  18  generates a linkage setting table  40  that associates items that are the same with one another among a plurality of pieces of master data in the medical information input apparatus  10 . 
       FIG. 11  illustrates an example of a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for linking master data for academic research to master data for an endoscopic examination. After master data for academic research is registered in the master data recording unit  42 , a master data association process can be performed. When the medical professional activates a GUI function of the table generation unit  18  and selects both the master data for academic research and the master data for an endoscopic examination, the table generation unit  18  generates a GUI  126  for linkage shown in  FIG. 11 . When the medical professional selects an item under “Upper Endoscopy Atrophy and CA Related Study” in the left column and an item under “Endoscopic Examination Examination Purpose Master” in the right column and then presses an association button  128 , the table generation unit  18  associates the selected items with each other. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates an example where master data items are associated with each other. When the medical professional selects an item, “Screening”, under “Upper Endoscopy Atrophy and CA Related Study” in the left column and an item, “Screening”, under “Endoscopic Examination Examination Purpose Master” in the right column and then presses the association button  128 , the table generation unit  18  associates the selected items with each other. When an OK button is pressed after this associating operation is performed for a plurality of items, associated items are recorded in the linkage setting table  40 . The respective names of items to be associated do not need to be the same in respective master data. There are some medical terms for which unified names are not used. Also, there are some medical terms that are called in different names in the plurality of academic research participating facilities  6 . Therefore, a name used in the master data for academic research may not be used in the academic research participating facilities  6 . On the GUI shown in  FIG. 12 , a single medical term is sometimes displayed in different expressions in right and left columns. Therefore, the medical professional who performs the associating operation may recognize inconsistent spellings in both sets of master data so as to associate data items with each other. 
     By the above associating process, the linkage setting table  40  associating an input item of the report input screen  100  with an input item of the research data input screen  110  is generated. In each data input screen, when the input reception unit  16  receives data entry, the linkage processing unit  20  processes information entered to either one of the report input screen  100  and the research data input screen  110  as input information entered to the other screen in reference to the linkage setting table  40 . For example, in a case where information for a given input item is entered in the report input screen  100 , if the input item is associated with an input item in the research data input screen  110  in the linkage setting table  40 , the linkage processing unit  20  records the information in the research data recording unit  36  on the assumption that the same information is also entered into the corresponding input item in the research data input screen  110 . Similarly, in a case where information for a given input item is entered in the research data input screen  110 , if the input item is associated with an input item in the report input screen  100  in the linkage setting table  40 , the linkage processing unit  20  records the information in the report recording unit  34  on the assumption that the same information is also entered into the corresponding input item in the report input screen  100 . 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a selection window  130  displayed during report entry. When a medical professional selects the column, “various comments/scopes used/additional items”, in the report input screen  100  shown in  FIG. 8 , the selection window  130  is displayed in a superimposed manner on the report input screen  100 . The selection window  130  is formed as a screen for entering examination purposes. 
       FIG. 14  illustrates a condition where an item in the selection window  130  is being selected. In this case, a medical professional has selected “Screening” as an examination purpose. 
     Upon receiving selection input of “Screening” on the report input screen  100 , the input reception unit  16  records the selection input in the report recording unit  34  and notifies the linkage processing unit  20  that there has been selection input of “Screening” on the report input screen  100 . In reference to the linkage setting table  40 , the linkage processing unit  20  checks whether an item in the research data input screen  110  is associated with the “Screening” item in the report input screen  100 . Since both “Screening” items are associated with each other in this case, the linkage processing unit  20  updates the status value of the “Screening” item of the research data recording unit  36  to a status value obtained at the time the selection input is entered. As described above, by processing information entered in one data input screen as information entered in the other data input screen by the linkage processing unit  20  in reference to the linkage setting table  40 , a medical professional can save the trouble of entering data for the same item and reduce possibilities for entering errors in a plurality of data input screens. 
       FIG. 15  illustrates a research data input screen  110 . When the display button  120  (or the registration button) is pressed in the report input screen  100  shown in  FIG. 8 , the display control unit  12  reads out the research data input screen generation program  32  from the recording unit  44  and executes the research data input screen generation program  32 . As shown in the figure, “Screening” entered in the report input screen  100  is reflected in a column for examination purposes. For example, reflected information may be set to be uneditable so that information entered in the report input screen  100  cannot be changed. Alternatively, information entered in the report input screen  100  may be changed by editing reflected information. In either case, by reflecting input information entered into the report input screen  100  in input information entered into the research data input screen  110 , a medical professional can check the information entered into the report input screen  100 , and the need for re-entering can be eliminated. Thus, highly-reliable data entry can be supported. 
     Described above is an explanation of the present invention based on the embodiments. These embodiments are intended to be illustrative only, and it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications to constituting elements and processes could be developed and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention.