Required fields can be the portal for garbage data to enter electronic medical records. Here are some ways to prevent that. http://www.gregoryschmidt.ca/writing/required-data-fields SUMMARY 1. Why is this field required? 2. Workarounds on paper required fields 3. A rational approach to: required fields 3.1 Establish a high criteria to make a field required 3.2 Anticipated Expiration Date 3.3a Allows users to skip completing a required field 3.3b Create an internal audit system to track usage of the opt-out feature 3.4 Show the ‘justification’ for the required field 3.5 Be open to feedback 4. Next steps