The application of computer touch-screen technology in screening for psychosocial distress in an ambulatory oncology setting
- 19 December 2002
- journal article
- clinical trial
- Published by Hindawi Limited in European Journal of Cancer Care
- Vol. 11 (4), 245-253
- https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2354.2002.00310.x
Abstract
The objective of the study was to evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of computer touch‐screen technology as a method for patients to report psychosocial functioning in an ambulatory cancer clinic. Patients participating in a randomized trial evaluating the use of self‐reported psychosocial information in the clinical encounter were surveyed. The patients completed the Cancer Needs Questionnaire (CNQ), European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life questionnaire (EORTC QLQ‐C30) and the Beck Depression Inventory – Short Form (BDI) using a touch‐screen computer. The time taken to complete the questionnaires was recorded electronically. Patients completed a seven‐item pen and paper survey to assess acceptability of the process. Of the 450 patients, 244 (54%) were 60 years or older. Although over half the patients had no prior computer experience, nearly all found the touch screen easy to use and the instructions easy to understand. Each question was answered by at least 447 (99.3%) patients. The average time to complete the CNQ was 9.1 min, EORTC QLQ‐C30 4.0 min and BDI 3.1 min. Factors influencing time to completion were prior use of computers, physical condition, education and overall level of needs.The study found that the use of computer touch‐screen technology is an acceptable and efficient method for obtaining self‐reported information on quality of life, cancer needs and psychological distress.Keywords
This publication has 12 references indexed in Scilit:
- Electronic collection of health-related quality of life data: Validity, time benefits, and patient preferenceQuality of Life Research, 2001
- Randomised controlled trial comparing effectiveness of touch screen system with leaflet for providing women with information on prenatal tests Commentary: Evaluating electronic consumer health materialBMJ, 2000
- Randomized Controlled Trial of a Computer Strategy to Increase General Practitioner Preventive CarePreventive Medicine, 1999
- Automated Collection of Quality-of-Life Data: A Comparison of Paper and Computer Touch-Screen QuestionnairesJournal of Clinical Oncology, 1999
- Encouraging Underscreened Women to Have Cervical Cancer Screening: The Effectiveness of a Computer StrategyPreventive Medicine, 1997
- Are Touchscreen Computer Surveys Acceptable to Medical Oncology Patients?Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 1997
- Prevalence of anxiety and depression in cancer patients seen at the Norwegian Radium HospitalEuropean Journal of Cancer, 1997
- Electronic quality of life questionnaires: a comparison of pen-based electronic questionnaires with conventional paper in a gastrointestinal studyQuality of Life Research, 1995
- The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30: A Quality-of-Life Instrument for Use in International Clinical Trials in OncologyJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 1993
- Does the computer make a difference? Computerized versus face-to-face versus self-report assessment of alcohol, drug, and tobacco use.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1983