Setting Up a Simple Internet-Accessible Case Database for Neurosurgeons

To the Editor:

Keeping track of cases is essential for almost any neurosurgeon. Many neurosurgeons have set up databases on their personal computers to store names, medical record numbers, and images of cases that they have done. This activity is very useful because the information can be used later to verify clinical information for hospital/board certification, to write academic papers, and to judge outcomes. Because almost every neurosurgeon carries an Internet-capable mobile phone (smartphone), it should be possible that once a neurosurgeon completes a case, he or she can open the Web browser on his or her smartphone and enter the case data into a personal database on a secure remote computer. However, previously, it was frustrating to set up a fully capable, inexpensive personal or group practice database that can be accessed over the Internet (the Web). This situation, however,...