Traditional Paper-based Methods Research Articles

Determining the requirements of a medical records electronic deficiency management system: a mixed-method study

PurposeDespite the presence of electronic medical records systems, traditional paper-based methods are often used in many countries to document data and eliminate medical record deficiencies. These methods waste patient and hospital resources. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the traditional deficiency management system and determine the requirements of an electronic deficiency management system in settings that currently use paper records alongside electronic hospital information systems.Design/methodology/approachThis mixed-method study was performed in three phases. First, the traditional process of medical records deficiency management was qualitatively evaluated. Second, the accuracy of identifying deficiencies by the traditional and redesigned checklists was compared. Third, the requirements for an electronic deficiency management system were discussed in focus group sessions.FindingsProblems in the traditional system include inadequate guidelines, incomplete procedures for evaluating sheets and subsequent delays in activities. Problems also included the omission of some vital data elements and a lack of feedback about the documentation deficiencies of each documenter. There was a significant difference between the mean number of deficiencies identified by traditional and redesigned checklists (p < 0.0001). The authors proposed an electronic deficiency management system based on redesigned checklists with improved functionalities such as discriminating deficiencies based on the documenter’s role, providing systematic feedback and generating automatic reports.Originality/valuePrevious studies only examined the positive effect of audit and feedback methods to enhance the documentation of data elements in electronic and paper medical records. The authors propose an electronic deficiency management system for medical records to solve those problems. Health-care policymakers, hospital managers and health information systems developers can use the proposed system to manage deficiencies and improve medical records documentation.

Gamification Enhances Learning Experience of STEM Courses

Abstract: This work-in-progress is about teaching the students multi-tables in Structured Query Language (SQL) using an interactive application. There are various readily available text books, online courses and educational online forums. Although these resources may provide effective learning, they commonly miss the interactivity component, which can add an element of engagement and possibly fun user experience while learning. This proposed work focuses on the interactive and fun aspects in learning the concepts and principles of SQL queries. The project currently includes a high-fidelity prototype implementation. The aim of the prototype is to provide students with information on SQL related concepts through interactive elements that aim to make the learning experience more engaging, fun and appealing. A star based rewarding mechanism was implemented for increasing motivation. Daily-life based metaphors were included in the modules for making it easier for the users to understand the concepts and making the learning experience more enjoyable. For testing and comparison purposes, a traditional paper-based teaching method was also created with the same content. Informal user study sessions were held in a classroom setting with 16 users. Results indicated that the interactive prototype implementation provided more effective learning and a more fun user experience than the traditional method.

Blockchain Based E-Voting System

Abstract: Voting is the fundamental right for every nation. An Electronic Voting (E-Voting) system is a voting system in which the election process is notated, saved, stored, and processed digitally, which makes the voting management task better than the traditional paper-based method. Blockchain is offering new opportunities to develop new types of digital services. While research on the topic is still emerging, it has mostly focused on the technical and legal issues instead of taking advantage of this novel concept and creating advanced digital services. Blockchain-enabled e voting (BEV) could reduce voter fraud and increase voter access. Eligible voters cast a ballot anonymously using a computer or smartphone. BEV uses an encrypted key and tamper-proof personal IDs. Electronic credibility services have become an integral part of the information space. With the reliable implementation of basic services as an electronic signature and electronic authentication, it is possible to build more complex systems that rely on them, particularly the electronic voting system. In this project, the concept of developing an electronic voting system using blockchain technology is implemented.

Study on the Efficiency of Data Collection, Organization and Feedback Methods for Triathlon Races

Considering the problems of data handling methods in the sports field, the use of smartphones, free tools, going online with the COVID-19 disaster, reducing the workload of data managers, creating graphs automatically, and building a system that can provide immediate feedback are considered to be useful. This study aims to improve data handling at sporting events by examining methods of enhancing data provision efficiency, such as collecting the athletes' physical condition and weather data, for the athletes, coach, and trainer. The data were collected using Google Forms and Google Sheets, and the study considered the problems associated with the data handling process. A questionnaire-based survey regarding data handling was conducted among seven athletes, one coach, and one trainer from a local triathlon team. The questions included collecting information on whether the (1) participants had viewed the Google Sheets, (2) data were useful for the race, (3) Google Sheets were easy to view, and (4) participants had any requests. In addition, eight university students were targeted as simulations for data organization. The results indicated that the use of Google Forms and Google Sheets was more efficient than the traditional paper-based method. In conclusion, this method is useful in collecting, organizing, and providing data at sporting events. The results of this study may lead to improvements in the way data are used in sports. In the future, it may be necessary to fine-tune the system to meet the needs of individual users.

Feasibility of using QR code for registration & evaluation of training and its ability to increase response rate – The learners' perception

Taking learners' attendance and obtaining an evaluation of teaching is a routine activity performed by teachers. The traditional method of taking attendance using pen and paper posed a huge challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic. This has been time-consuming as compared to pre-COVID as well as frustrating for learners waiting in a queue for their turn to sign the register. Quick Response (QR) Codes were used to complete registration to buy back the time consumed using traditional methods of registration. Learners' evaluations are used as an instrument to evaluate teaching quality. At the researcher's workplace, a traditional paper-based evaluation method has been used for decades. However, over time a significant decrease in the response rate of evaluations was noticed. The pandemic provided an opportunity of using QR Codes to obtain learners' evaluation of teaching quality. This study assessed the learners' perception of using QR Codes for registration and evaluation, and the likelihood of learners completing the evaluation surveys, thus increasing the response rate. Participants of the study were asked to complete an electronic survey to help assess their perception of using QR Codes and a comparison was made between the responses gathered using paper-based evaluations over 5 months and QR Code evaluations over the same 5 months in the following year. The results of this study demonstrate that using QR Codes for registration and evaluation is easy and straightforward, thus increasing the likelihood of learners completing the evaluation. The comparison between paper-based and QR Code evaluations confirms that a substantial increase in response rate can be achieved by using QR Code evaluations.

ShrimpChain: A blockchain-based transparent and traceable framework to enhance the export potentiality of Bangladeshi shrimp

Despite substantial progress achieved with shrimp production during the last three and a half decades, growth of shrimp export remains minimal in Bangladesh. In the absence of effective traceability and transparency practices, a wide range of malpractice occurs both at the production and post-harvest stages. Traditional paper-based record-keeping methods for the shrimp supply chain are disparate and, therefore, cannot provide efficient traceability capacity and holistic view of the supply chain. These limit the identification of any issues in earlier juncture to proactively ensure food safety, best practice, and good governance. Addressing this multiplexed challenge, we present here ShrimpChain, a public-private hybrid blockchain-based conceptual framework. Focusing on the export market and utilizing existing technologies, the conceptual framework addresses the traceability, transparency, and certification challenges associated with shrimp export. In this framework, from the post-larva purchasing to the final packaging stage, relevant data for every stage will be entered by the associated actors via mobile/web app or Internet of Things devices to the blockchain network. Data authentication will be achieved by a novel approach of incorporating community consensus in conjunction with the machine-derived data entry timestamping method. Instead of the traditional central and endpoint certification approach, we propose a distributed and accumulative score-based certification approach that will grade packaged shrimps according to the completeness and accuracy of the authenticated data entered during different stages. Such distributed approach of certification will enhance not only food safety but also the quality and compliance to best practices. Most importantly, engaging shrimp farmers in the safety and quality assurance as well as to the certification process will empower them to have better control over the market and incentive to produce high-quality shrimp for high-value market.

Comparing a Multimedia Digital Informed Consent Tool With Traditional Paper-Based Methods: Randomized Controlled Trial.

BackgroundThe traditional informed consent (IC) process rarely emphasizes research participants’ comprehension of medical information, leaving them vulnerable to unknown risks and consequences associated with procedures or studies.ObjectiveThis paper explores how we evaluated the feasibility of a digital health tool called Virtual Multimedia Interactive Informed Consent (VIC) for advancing the IC process and compared the results with traditional paper-based methods of IC.MethodsUsing digital health and web-based coaching, we developed the VIC tool that uses multimedia and other digital features to improve the current IC process. The tool was developed on the basis of the user-centered design process and Mayer’s cognitive theory of multimedia learning. This study is a randomized controlled trial that compares the feasibility of VIC with standard paper consent to understand the impact of interactive digital consent. Participants were recruited from the Winchester Chest Clinic at Yale New Haven Hospital in New Haven, Connecticut, and healthy individuals were recruited from the community using fliers. In this coordinator-assisted trial, participants were randomized to complete the IC process using VIC on the iPad or with traditional paper consent. The study was conducted at the Winchester Chest Clinic, and the outcomes were self-assessed through coordinator-administered questionnaires.ResultsA total of 50 participants were recruited in the study (VIC, n=25; paper, n=25). The participants in both groups had high comprehension. VIC participants reported higher satisfaction, higher perceived ease of use, higher ability to complete the consent independently, and shorter perceived time to complete the consent process.ConclusionsThe use of dynamic, interactive audiovisual elements in VIC may improve participants’ satisfaction and facilitate the IC process. We believe that using VIC in an ongoing, real-world study rather than a hypothetical study improved the reliability of our findings, which demonstrates VIC’s potential to improve research participants’ comprehension and the overall process of IC.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT02537886; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02537886

Timesync: Web Based Timetable Scheduling and Visualization System for Schools and Colleges

Timetable scheduling is a problem that concerns every teaching institution. Every semester or year a new timetable must be produced to take account of faculty, student and course changes causing a necessarily large amount of work. All institutions face a considerable number of difficulties especially before the start of academic semesters in colleges due to the increased number of students and courses. Also, visualizing the timetable needs drastic amount of work like to print them on papers and display it then to its respective classes, that too in colleges need to be secured since it got snatched away by the students there. And timetable updation require to follow full steps as followed during its creation in traditional paper-based method but here using timesync, it makes everything so smooth that it need to only update it with its user-friendly UI and no need to follow other steps as in orthodox method. The main objective of this study is to develop a web-based application for timetable scheduling and visualizing for schools and colleges. However, some work and studies still need to be done to make this system further smart and consistent as described in the recommendations section.

Framework for Location Based Attendance System by Using Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) Technologies

Information Technology (IT) is an emerging field that plays a significant role in every field of today’s world. In the education systems, IT has replaced many traditional methods with trending digital technologies and solved the problems and hurdles that usually occur. Besides these, IT is a key factor that is responsible for digitization and automation that ultimately have led us to the 4th industrial revolution (4IR), which is an upgrade of the previous 3 industrial revolutions. The 4IR is not only for industrial production, but it is also involved in almost every field including education and commercial domains. In every organization, including an educational institute or any other commercial organization, attendance has a great importance. In the recent past, several IT technologies have been used to replace the traditional paper-based attendance method with digital attendance mode, for that purpose, there have been several techniques in use since long time i.e. Near Field Communication; NFC, Radio Frequency Identification; RFID, Biometric, Quick Response Code; QR-Code, etc. Though, these types of techniques were very efficient but had some flaws such as risks of prone attendance, the queue of a crowd waiting in front of attendance device, high time consuming etc. This research was planned to overcome these issues by introducing a new approach by designing a framework for location-based attendance system using digital technologies of the 4IR. The designed framework was based on BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) trend, in which students rather than teachers can mark their attendance using their own devices. This framework was a 3 layered framework i.e. client layer, data synchronization layer, and server layer. The framework was validated by developing a system and testing it at the Information Technology Centre, Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam, Pakistan. For calculating the empirical results, an evaluation was performed. The designed framework proved to be more secure, all the data in the framework was encrypted with a strong encryption algorithm, final attendance of successful students was stored in the blockchain structure to maintain the confidentiality and integrity in data. The designed framework used triple authentication i.e. biometric authentication, QR-code authentication, and location based authentication that reduced the risk of prone attendance.

Evaluate the Feasibility of the Implementation of E-Assessment in Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) in Pharmacy Education from the Examiner’s Perspectives

With the wide application of the OSCE in the field of pharmacy, the development of e-assessment in OSCE is a predictable trend. However, the feasibility of its practical application and the acceptance of examiners who are accustomed to using traditional paper-based methods are worthy of being discussed. The e-assessment system (EAS) was constructed in this study and used in the examination process. Examiner satisfaction and changes in acceptance of EAS were evaluated. Examiners showed high recognition for the advantages of EAS in data processing, but EAS obviously made the examiner more nervous than the paper-based method. After repeated use of the e-OSCE system, the examiner’s satisfaction and acceptance significantly improved, which showed that there was a certain correlation between examiner’s familiarity with the assessment method and their acceptance. Besides, EAS has great advantages over traditional paper-based methods, and it is feasible in clinical practice examination of pharmacy education.

The enigma of cerebral blood flow and cognition.

The enigma of cerebral blood flow and cognition.

Can an online exercise prescription tool improve adherence to home exercise programmes in children with cerebral palsy and other neurodevelopmental disabilities? A randomised controlled trial

ObjectiveDetermine the adherence to and effectiveness of an 8-week home exercise programme for children with disabilities delivered using Physitrack, an online exercise prescription tool, compared with traditional paper-based methods.DesignSingle-blinded, parallel-groups,...

Technology-Assisted Self-Monitoring of Lifestyle Behaviors and Health Indicators in Diabetes: Qualitative Study.

BackgroundSelf-monitoring is key to successful behavior change in diabetes and obesity, and the use of traditional paper-based methods of self-monitoring may be time-consuming and burdensome.ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore participant experiences while using technology-assisted self-monitoring of lifestyle behaviors and health indicators among overweight or obese adults with type 2 diabetes.MethodsQualitative data collected from the intervention group of a 6-month, three-arm (control, paper diary, and technology-assisted self-monitoring groups) randomized clinical trial were analyzed. Study participants in the intervention group monitored their diet, exercise, and weight using the LoseIt! app, and their blood glucose levels using a glucometer and the Diabetes Connect app. Semistructured group discussions were conducted at 6 weeks (n=10) from the initiation of the behavioral lifestyle intervention and again at 6 months (n=9). All group interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Using a combination of thematic and comparative analysis approaches, two trained professionals coded the transcriptions independently and then discussed and concluded common themes for the 6-week and 6-month discussions separately.ResultsThe sample (n=10), which primarily involved African American participants (n=7) and female participants (n=8), had a mean age of 59.4 years. The following eight themes emerged: (1) perceived benefits of technology-assisted self-monitoring; (2) perceived ease of use (eg, barriers: technical difficulties and lack of self-discipline; facilitators: help from family, friends, and the program); (3) use of technology-assisted self-monitoring; (4) facilitators of engaging in healthy lifestyle behaviors (eg, visualization and awareness of calorie input/expenditure); (5) positive lifestyle change; (6) barriers of engaging in healthy lifestyle behaviors (eg, event influence); (7) learning curve; and (8) monitored data sharing. The first six of these themes were shared between the 6-week and 6-month timepoints, but the codes within these themes were not all the same and differed slightly between the two timepoints. These differences provide insights into the evolution of participant thoughts and perceptions on using technology for self-monitoring and subsequent behavioral lifestyle changes while participating in lifestyle interventions. The findings from the 6-week and 6-month data helped to paint a picture of participant comfort and the integration of technology and knowledge overtime, and clarified participant attitudes, difficulties, behavioral processes, and modifications, as well as health indicators that were experienced throughout the study.ConclusionsAlthough there were some barriers, participants were able to identify various individual and external facilitators to adjust to and engage in technology-assisted self-monitoring, and it was concluded that the technology-assisted self-monitoring approach was beneficial, safe, and feasible to use for positive lifestyle change. These patient perspectives need to be considered in future research studies when investigating the effectiveness of using technology-assisted self-monitoring, as well as in clinical practice when recommending technology-assisted self-monitoring of lifestyle behaviors and health indicators to improve health outcomes.

A mobile digital technology (Fionet™) to improve accuracy, completeness and timeliness of research data compared with a non-digital system in Kenya

The World Health Organization’s Global Malaria Program implemented a multi-country study to assess the entomological and epidemiological impact of long-lasting insecticide treated nets (LLINs) and indoor residual spray (IRS). Study activities included home visits to perform a LLIN survey and malaria testing of children in the household. In Kenya, Fionet™, a technology for automated malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test (mRDT) processing and interpretation at point-of-care, was evaluated against traditional paper-based methods and manual mRDT processing. Objective: To measure and compare the accuracy of diagnosis, completeness, and timeliness of data transmission between a digital mobile solution (Fionet™) and a paper-based system. Methodology: A randomised cluster sampling design of two cohorts: 1) an Active Infection Detection cohort, and 2) an Active Case Detection cohort was undertaken between November 2013 and April 2014. Community Health Workers (CHWs) visited rural households to: 1) measure malaria prevalence in children under the age of five using mRDTs, and 2) survey the use and physical status of LLINs in the household. Ten clusters were randomly assigned to Fionet™ to perform automated testing, interpretation, and survey data capture. Fionet™ transmitted all the tests and survey data to a cloud-based database. Results: A total of 1770 households were visited, 437 children tested, and 742 LLINs inspected. Fionet™ significantly improved the quality of data gathered; a two-fold increase in adherence to study protocols using Fionet™ resulted in more accurate data, data completeness was 10 times higher than with paper-based collection methods, and 87% of data were available in less than one day. Fionet™ significantly improved data quality and management, which enhanced the health system’s ability to meet the research objectives. This technology can help ensure accurate, complete, and timely availability of data. Future studies should incorporate mobile technologies such as Fionet™ to improve RDT based diagnostics of malaria and data quality.

Exploring anti-corruption capabilities of e-procurement in construction project delivery in Nigeria

The use of electronic (e-­) procurement to support the execution of supply chain management activities in the different industrial sectors is permeating all regions of the world. However, in countries in sub-Saharan Africa where there is a significant level of corruption and unethical practices in the procurement process, there is a need for a better understanding of how e-Procurement can help to check the incidence of corrupt and unethical practices in construction project delivery. This study relied on a cross-sectional survey of 759 respondents, including architects, builders, engineers, estate/facilities managers, contractors, construction/project managers, quantity surveyors, supply chain managers and others to identify and analyse the anti-corruption capabilities of e-Procurement in construction project delivery in Nigeria. The results of the descriptive statistics, relative importance index and principal components analysis identified 18 anti-corruption capabilities in e-Procurement in construction project delivery with the three most important ones being the capability of e-Procurement to ensure good inventory management/record keeping; accountability by providing audit services trail and minimise direct human contacts during bidding. The key underlying dimensions of these capabilities include the advantage of e-Procurement over the traditional paper-based method; transparent bidding process and increase in competition in construction project delivery process. The findings of this study have implications, especially, on the use of e-Procurement to curb corruption in construction procurement activities.

An open cloud-based platform for the creation and delivery of smart applications and services

With the increasing integration of computers and smartphones into our daily lives, in addition to the numerous benefits it offers over traditional paper-based methods of conducting affairs, it has become necessary to incorporate one of the most essential facilities into this integration; namely: colleges. The traditional approach for conducting affairs in colleges is mostly paper-based, which only increases time and workload and is relatively decentralized. This project provides educational and management services for the university environment, targeting the staff, the student body, and the lecturers, on two of the most used platforms: smartphones and reliable web applications by cloud hosting. The services include project management, attendance marking, various notifications and alerts, files and resources, a grading system, and an assignment management system. This paper also aims to ultimately digitalize most of the information inside the college which is a great challenge. The proposed system defines five actors, namely: an admin; who is the person with the highest authority within the system, the head of the department, the department coordinator, the project coordinator, the lecturers, and the students. Each of those actors has its privileges and the interaction among participants via the cloud. The mobile platform targets the students exclusively and interacts with the web platform. Finally, this paper stresses the benefits of the proposed system and gives the avenues for future development.

Spine Surgery Database: Spine Disease Analytical Evaluation Module.

To demonstrate a custom spine disease analytical evaluation module that can instantly, accurately, and effectively analyze the widely accepted outcome measurements. The data input and analysis processes were evaluated on a timely basis to compare the traditional paper-based manual data entry method with the spine surgery database (SSD) platform data entry method. The data of 116 patients in the cervical degenerative patient group were analyzed using the upgraded version of the SSD. The subjects were analyzed with respect to the SF-36 Quality of Life Index, Nurick classification, and Japanese Orthopedic Association score. The manual and computerized patient information analyses were then compared. The developed analysis module enables the instantaneous access and analysis of patient data. More importantly, the paperless evaluation module improves the post-surgery patient status evaluation time by 45.64%. For 116 patients, a physician gains up to 401 min of evaluation time in each preoperative and follow-up period without being subjected to the human errors encountered in paper records. It is apparent that customized software solutions are absolutely necessary in patient registration and follow-up processes. The experimental results showed that using the proposed module, patient follow-up and progress analyses can be performed in a fast, effective, and accurate manner.

Development and Feasibility of Tablet-based 24-hour Recall for Dietary Intake and Recipe Collection Among Adults and Children in Tanzania (P10-018-19)

ObjectivesIn many regions of the world, little is known about food consumption, meal structures, meal patterns, and nutrient intake. Collection of these data using quantitative dietary intake is expensive and labor intensive. Thus, many programmatic and routine surveillance studies resort to simplified indicators to measure dietary quality. Based on a previous study conducted by Caswell et al. on tablet-based data collection of 24-hour dietary recall (24hr-DR), we have developed and adapted a mobile tool collecting 24hr-DR among adults and children in Tanzania. MethodsUsing the Tanzanian food composition table (FCT), the 24hr-DR was developed on an Android platform in Open Data Kit. The module provides food groups, food lists, meal list, ingredient list, quantity and amount consumed, breastfeeding frequency, and a recipe feature to collect detailed information (such as cooked and uncooked weights). Similar to the USDA Automated Multiple Pass Method, to accurately capture the dietary intake the tool contains summary features such as time in between meals and review of meals and portion size consumed in the previous day. ResultsThe mobile tool is currently used to collect dietary intake (1) among 960 children 0–18 months of age enrolled in the EFFECTS trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03759821) in Mara, Tanzania, and (2) among adult families enrolled in the DECIDE study in Dar es Salaam. Field workers were first trained on paper-based methods with food models followed by training on tablet-based collection. Because the tool was tailored with the Tanzanian FCT, conversion to nutrient intake for the individual are readily linked. This enables the investigators to look at dietary intake data in real time for quality assurance and analysis. Demonstration of the tool along with dietary profiles and analysis will be compared with the literature. The tool will be made available to the public in December 2019, and can be adapted to different contexts. ConclusionsUsing mobile-based flexible platforms linked to a pre-existing FCT demystifies the “black box” processes of converting dietary intake to nutrient intake, thus reducing the time and labor needed using the traditional paper-based 24hr-DR method. Funding SourcesThis study is funded through the Drivers of Food Choice Grants Program by Bill and Melinda Gates foundation and UK AID.

Pilot study on the impact of lectures and introduction of digital technologies in the knowledge acquisition in medical students

This article was migrated. The article was not marked as recommended. Introduction: Academic teaching has been present in society for centuries. However, its methodology has not significantly changed. Though various articles were published analysing students´ satisfaction with the teaching method, there is still scarce data on the knowledge improvement associated with different methodologies. Therefore, the endpoints of this research were: 1) analyse the impact of Sophistic lectures in knowledge acquisition in medical students and 2) examine knowledge assessment using new digital technologies, compared with a more traditional paper-based method. Methods: A repeated measures design was implemented in four classes of 4th year medical students, lectured by the same teacher on the same subject. A scientifically validated questionnaire was applied before and after each class, in paper and web-based tool Sli.do to two classes each. Results were compared by means of descriptive statistics. Results: 55 answers were obtained in paper and 34 in Sli.do. Paper method questionnaires had mildly lower scores before and after class (46% and 74,2%, respectively) when compared with Sli.do (52,4% and 82,9%, respectively). Although basal scores were different among methods, both revealed a similar relative knowledge improvement, comparatively to the respective baseline (61,3% vs. 58,2%, respectively). Discussion &amp; Conclusions: The results showed that Sophistic classes are effective in learning, independent of evaluation method, which reassure that the task of the teacher is important and effective. This study supports the use of digital-based tools to assess learning in classes since they are more time-efficient, more ecological and logistically easier. Finally, assess the information that is being effectively taught to the students has several benefits for the teachers, the university and ultimately the students. Since a digital storage of the collected data makes it possible to carry out more effective internal audits over time, allowing the improvement of areas with lower results, benefitting the entire academic community.

Development of a Tool to Monitor Paramedic Clinical Placements: A Case Study of Innovation Overcoming Tradition

Introduction This paper discusses a trial of the use of CompTracker© – an online platform used to link the student, preceptor and academic in a time sensitive manner during student clinical placement – within a cohort of 330 first and second year paramedic students studying at an Australian university. CompTracker© allows for preceptors to identify and assess clinical competencies, and for the student to reflect after each case is completed on placement. The tool was initially piloted, and then remodeled on several attempts to improve its overall functionality and relevance for the placement learning experience. The study aims to educate and inform other health disciplines that may have an interest in using online tools for competency tracking and education in diverse workplaces. Methods Multiple surveys were conducted over a 3-year period, using both Likert 5-point scales and open-ended questions, to evaluate 330 first and second year students’ and 261 preceptors’ experiences. Results Of the 54 student responses, 92% felt the tool was useful and 67% felt it was easy to use. Within the preceptor results, 63 ± 2% preferred CompTracker© over traditional paper-based methods. Conclusion CompTracker© can be used to support students and preceptors in clinical placement. The flexibility of this online tool makes it adaptable to most clinical workplaces, and should be considered in any workplace that requires the use of competency-based clinical assessment and used in place of traditional paper-based portfolios.