Where do I find individual help with Access?

D

David K

I'm skilled in Excel, but a novice in Access. I've read the intro book for
Access, but just don't get the programming needed for the macros or 'compound
keys' to do what I want. I don't have time to take a course, but I want a
'jump start' so I can tweak my own database once it's set up. This forum
took me almost (but not quite) to the answers, but I think my questions are
too basic for you folks.

How do I find someone who I can pay (minimum reasonable cost) to walk me
through this?
 
D

Daniel Pineault

1. There are no questions that are too simple to be answered here. You may
want to ask again to get the help you seek. What is it you are trying to
accomplish exactly?

2. Where are you located? Perhaps someone here is in your area. Also, you
couold get remote help.
 
D

David K

My partners and I want a table in which to record the names of patients we
see, their diagnosis and demographics, as well as the care we gave. The
secretary will use it to create bills, and we'll use the table for research.

I made such a table and a form. I'm stuck on one piece: the 'care we
gave'. This care has to be distilled down to a 5-digit code that all
insurers use. The code is a unique number and depends on four parameters:
a) Patient type {inpatient, outpatient, consult, etc..6 types} b) History
taken {5 levels of inquiry} c) Exam done {5 levels of investigation} d)
Diagnosis complexity {not WHAT we diagnose, but how hard to do..5 levels}.

We need the form (or table, or macro) to take the four parameters and assign
the correct code. To do that, I tried to make a separate table containing
all the possible combinations of the parameters in the first four columns,
and the appropriate code in the last column. I made the first four columns
'compound keys'. But I don't understand how I get the tables or form to
choose the code from the code table and insert it in the primary table. I
read that I'm supposed to make a 'junction table' and tried that, but it
isn't working.

As I go along, I pursue a method that fails, and sometimes can't undo it.
For a while, I was just starting over, but a lot of work was going into
rebuilding what I had. So I made copies of tables and forms, but now I'm
getting a jumble of broken forms, and I haven't figured out how to delete the
really bad ones.

I live in Cleveland, Ohio.
 
R

Robert

It sounds like you can figure out this code from the other information,
which is to say you can calculate it. And that's what you do, you calculate
it whenever you need it, such as on a report.

But if my understanding is wrong and you need to select it from a list of
codes in a table, then you may want to put a combo box on your form. This
combo box is based on this table. The combo box wizard will walk you
through the steps of creating a combo box. You'll need a field in your main
table which points to the key of the codes table (a "foreign key" as they
call it).

If you calculate the code and you also need to store it in the main table
there is a thread which discusses this immediately above this one.

I was curious as to why you don't just use one of the programs for doctors
offices which is on the market.

Robert
 
D

David K

I do see two ways. The calculation method would involve "IF" statements,
because if the patient type is A, then the codes are all 992XX, but if the
type is B then the codes are 993XX, etc. The last two digits depend on the
lowest number of the other three. So even if the History and Exam are very
complex, if the Diagnosis is only a level 2, then the last two digits are 02.
If all are complex, the last two digits are 05.

I'd like to try the Foreign Key tactic. If I start with the table I already
built (I call it "PICK", in which the first four columns have unique
combinations of parameters, and the last column contains the codes, then I
think you mean the code column in "PICK" has to link to my main table's code
field. But the user has to input the first four parameters. There's one
form, and (so far) it collects the four parameters and puts them in the main
table. Do I link the parameter fields in the main table to those of "PICK"?

When I tried to make a combo box, it connects me to "PICK", but the user has
to look at an impossible list. I'd rather they just input the parameters on
the form, and have the program dump the correct code into the main table.

To buy a propietary program, I'd have to jump through institutional wickets
(academic centers have administrators who think they already gave the doctors
everything they need). They point out that I can ask for a report anytime I
want. They don't mind that I have to wait for weeks to get it. The data
input burden on the doctors (for the programs they chose) are the stimulus
for me to make my own, "simple" program.
 
R

Robert

Consider:

Dividing up your code field into its various components and creating a
"pick" for each portion. These codes can later be concatenated to form the
complete code, which you don't even need to store in the table.

or

Using the AfterUpdate event of a control (field) on you form and putting
code in there to look up stuff when an entry is made in that control and
inserting that information into another control (field) without the need for
picking.

I didn't realize you were part of a larger organization.

Robert
 
R

Robert

Another thing you can do is bind a control to a DLookup function which
simply looks the data up in a table and displays it. No combo box.

Robert
 
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