Domain 4-Maintain database- A Good Database Design

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Good database design is a process that involves a team of individuals who have good relational database knowledge and extensive technical database design expertise. In addition, the database development team needs to include end users who have knowledge of the real world or domain, which the database will describe. It is very rare to find one person with knowledge in both technical database design and the described domain.

Usually the end user describes the domain, its elements and the data that needs to be stored in the database designer. This step is very important as it defines the goals and the requirements of the database. Because of their experience and knowledge with healthcare information, HIM professionals frequently take the lead in being interface between the domain and technical experts in documenting the data dictionary.

Good database design relies heavily on development of accurate data models. Data models, are the blueprint of the database and describe database entities and their relationships. Data models are usually developed by individuals with expertise in data modeling who identify entities and their relationships with help of the individual who has the domain knowledge.

A good database design implements exactly the data requirements of the end user. A proper database design ensures that there are minimal redundant data in the database and that the data structure is flexible enough to easily handle change in the database requirements.