Several fields vs multi-select list vs other?

[DarthZ]

Hello,



I am attempting to create a field in a database and am having some trouble figuring out the best way to do this. What I need to do is setup a list of comorbidities (or medical disorders such as diabetes, heart problems etc) for a research database. I cant decide on the best way of doing this. The thing is, no two patients are exactly alike and some have several comorbidities while others have few if any at all. The list of comorbidities is at around 20 (more may be added). What type of field can I create to hold this data so that queries can be made in the future based on one certain comorbidity (ex: only diabetes) or a group of certain comorbidities (ex: diabetes + thyroid).

What type of field would I use and how would I display this on a form? I've read on several other pages that using a multi-select list box to place more than one category in a single field is not the best option. The only other way I can think of doing this is creating several comorbidity fields (comorbidity1, comorbidity2, ...etc). But even this might not be effective as then the people who enter data may not be consistent (entering diabetes into comorbidity1 only) thus making queries a little bit more difficult.

I am very new to access and any suggestions will be greatly appreciated

Thanks

[DarthZ]

Never mind, figured it out . Turns out list box was the way to go so far. Been trying it out and it seems fine. guess I read some bad advice from another site