Setting Up A Microsoft Form

Did you know you can put a BU Microsoft Form on your website instead of emailing patients or research participants a form to fill out?

Why Use Microsoft Forms

Microsoft Forms are easy to create, can include “branching” (e.g., more questions for a new patient than an existing patient), and can be used to collect HIPAA data.

Using a Microsoft Form is a more secure method for collecting any type of data than emailing forms that need to be sent back by the patient. Beyond just the risks during transmission of the form, one risk we have seen all too often is that a well-meaning employee accidentally sends a form containing one patient’s data to another patient, resulting in a risk to patient privacy. This can’t happen with a solution like Microsoft Forms.

What are some examples of ways Microsoft Forms could be used? 

Any paper or fillable forms you use today could be converted into a Microsoft Form.  For example, consent or patient intake forms could be converted to a Microsoft Form that is posted on your webpage.  Responses can then be retrieved or transferred from the Microsoft Forms webpage or from an Excel sheet that is posted on your Teams site.  If you get frequent requests for copies of records, you could even post a Microsoft Form for patients to Authorize Disclosure of Records.

Setting up Microsoft Form on our website

1. Start by creating a form on a Teams site.
2. Start collecting responses.
a. Note: To make a Form publicly available (anyone can fill out), you must remove the file upload feature.
3. Check results at Microsoft Forms webpage or in Excel at your preferred location (e.g., SharePoint or Teams site.)

To create a Teams site or get help with Forms, send an email to ithelp@bu.edu at CRC or bumchelp@bu.edu at BUMC