A software system for gathering and managing medical patient information is disclosed. The system has two components: a first computer module for gathering medical information using medical data entry screens, and a second computer module for creating customized medical data entry screens. The second module can create and customize virtually all aspect of the medical data entry screens. The present invention also allows users to create natural language reports from the medical data that has been gathered, and these reports can reviewed on the screen or through a print-out. Additionally, the data is stored is stored in database, with unique identifiers assigned to each data point, thereby facilitating data mining. The system also includes a matrix, a unique data entry tool that allows users to easily correlate body parts and modifiers. The system is designed to be used with handheld computing devices, and is especially suitable for use with emergency medical services, although it can be used in a variety of contexts.