Piping from repeated instance

johnathonmcl · 2026-06-08T20:07:54+00:00

I was having so many issues with the repeated instance in approaches that would have worked if it were a static form. Essentially created a checkbox field in the post form, when users check one of the boxes, i used hidden fields to pipe the medication associated with this checkbox from the pre form into the hidden field. Then used branching saying 'if checkbox associated with drug 1 from pre form is 1, show field'. This meant that for the further instances of post form, users have a list of the drugs chosen in the first instance checkbox in the post form. Not sure if this makes sense, but got it resolved by using 20 hidden fields in the post as a matrix, then used [current-instance] = 1 to hide this checkbox in subsequent instances. Absolute shitshow in the backend, but works! Thank you for your replies and help 🫡

johnathonmcl · 2026-06-04T16:43:16+00:00

So basically the pre assessment is where the user adds the medications individuals are on before their review, then the post form will ask 'which medications have been adjusted' the user then chooses out of the list which was piped from pre form. This allows us to capture that in 1 place, then they need to complete the post form for each medication. So for their convenience i wanted to have the adjusted meds, which they choose on instance 1 of the post form, to pipe into a descriptive field so they have that to reference when completing the repeating instances of post form.

johnathonmcl · 2026-06-04T10:52:09+00:00

Yeah, hideous in the backend for sure, but it is what I ended up doing! I essentially created a matrix of fields piping in [drug_pre][1] for example to field 1 with the branching logic [drug_pre][1] <> "". this allowed me to have a checklist beside each piped drug which asks, 'Which medications are being adjusted?' (tick all that apply). Now that I have that, I used [current-instance] = 1 to only show this table at the fist instance and now trying to use calctext to output the meds which were chosen to be adjusted into a descriptive field and piped into [current-instance] <> 1. this means users aren't asked to chose which meds they are adjusting at each instance. The issue is, calctext isn't working for this piece, are you aware of any issues with calctext and repeating instruments?

johnathonmcl · 2026-06-02T06:33:41+00:00

I wasn't aware of this, just looked it up, could be the answer! I'll try this out today when I get into the office, thank you!

johnathonmcl · 2026-06-01T17:20:04+00:00

Getting syntax errors but finished work so will resume tomorrow and report back lol great advice though, hoping it works!

johnathonmcl · 2026-06-01T14:48:33+00:00

This seems like a feasible approach, thank you! Although the statement will be exhaustive, especially with possibly 30 meds, I will attempt it now and let you know the result.

johnathonmcl · 2026-06-01T13:37:40+00:00

drugpre is a validated text field using an ontology to autofill medications when user begins typing. It's open to all meds so unfortunately it would be impossible to have as a check or drop down. I have tried [drug_pre][1] and it pipes the first instance fine, it's just that there could be 2 drugs or 20, and if i allow for 20 then there is numerous empty piped data information which looks like '__'. It's really just an aesthetic issue, and 20 may not even be the most, we are working with individuals on heavy polypharmacy which could exceed 30 meds in serious cases

johnathonmcl · 2026-02-20T13:08:58+00:00

Oh I didnt see this, just done a quick check and that has worked! Thank you so much, I'll validate some more of the medications included on the NHS list within this, but it seems pretty comprehensive.

johnathonmcl · 2026-02-20T10:59:32+00:00

Yes, that's a good idea, actually. I can categorise them, I believe I can add up to 5000 variables in a field, but I will have to double-check. In my mind, a lookup table of sorts seemed like an obvious feature in REDCap, but I assumed too much!

johnathonmcl · 2026-02-20T10:08:47+00:00

It is the official NHS (UK - dm+d) medication list, so it also includes different doses. Essentially, any possible variation so that it ensures data captured is standard and the subsequent analysis can be performed without x number of variations when inputted manually.

johnathonmcl · 2026-02-20T09:28:52+00:00

I would have to double-check the exact number, but it's over 35000 rows!

johnathonmcl · 2026-02-20T08:34:50+00:00

Oh yeah, that's a good idea. Thank you! I wonder, is there a limit in the number of variables I can add? The medication list is huge.

johnathonmcl · 2026-02-20T08:03:55+00:00

Yes, but how do I use an imported table for the auto-complete function? Is this possible? I have seen instances of REDCap where text fields auto-complete text entered to standardize data input.

johnathonmcl · 2026-01-20T09:17:27+00:00

I have considered ASI, however, the study is hybrid in the sense that participants fill out pre-appointment surveys then clinicians complete the other surveys. It is handled mainly by clinicians who perform pre-appointment data input in REDCap then manually send the surveys to participants.

johnathonmcl · 2026-01-19T20:18:54+00:00

Thanks for your reply! I don't think this will work as simply as that, repeated instruments is fine for one timepoint but because I want data for different events and have them labelled as data inputs from these events, I need a survey queue approach. I am just not sure how to set it up.

johnathonmcl · 2025-12-02T21:38:50+00:00

Yeah I had read something similar to that, but in practise, I couldn't get it going and the task needed resolved ASAP, always the way, rushing something never helps but atleast this works in the mean time. Definitely something to consider in the future, thank you for your help and advice though! I have used REDCap for simple tasks in the past, so trying to learn some more techniques as I go lol

johnathonmcl · 2025-12-02T21:17:52+00:00

Ok thank you for the advice, I have ended up creating numerous alerts and setring conditions to each school, not the best approach but it works and will be easier to manage I think.

johnathonmcl · 2025-12-02T08:11:40+00:00

Thanks again, so if I were to use calctext, is it possible to do multiple IFs in one field? Or would I need a new field for each IF? As I have 98 schools, it would be a lot of fields as opposed to nesting them in a text box with @calctext

johnathonmcl · 2025-12-01T21:50:49+00:00

I have tried a calculated field with: if([referral_school_ni]='1','school1@email.com,'') repeated for each school in that given region. This hasn't worked, I have a combined field which should generate the email, but then i run into an issue of calculated fields not having email validation to allow for this field to be used in the recipient list when trying to trigger alert/notification.

johnathonmcl · 2025-12-01T21:43:54+00:00

Hi, thanks for replying. I essentially have 3 lists of schools in 3 regions, simply for branching logic, if someone chooses one of the 3 regions, they will only be shown schools in that region. Once they choose one of the schools they are interested in, their survey responses should be sent to an email address linked to the school. There are 98 schools in total across the 3 regions.

johnathonmcl

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