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Cancer patient-reported outcomes assessment using wireless touch screen tablet computers

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Abstract

Purpose

To assess the feasibility of collecting patient-reported outcomes data with wireless touch screen tablet computers in the adult oncology palliative care setting.

Methods

Patients were provided with tablet computers during scheduled clinic visits and answered online queries about their experience over the past week in the health domains of anxiety, depression, fatigue, pain interference, physical function, instrumental social support, sleep impairment, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, dyspnea, neuropathy, and spiritual values.

Results

Content analysis of patient interviews indicates that wireless touch screen tablet computers are a feasible approach for collecting patient-reported outcome measures by palliative care cancer patients presenting in clinic. Most patients indicated that the questionnaire was easy to answer. However, all but one patient requested some form of assistance, and many reported difficulties attributable to a lack of familiarity with the device, interpretation of certain questions, and wireless connectivity-related issues.

Conclusions

This feasibility study demonstrates that tablet computers have the potential to efficiently and reliably collect patient-reported health status measures among palliative care cancer patients presenting in clinics. The use of these devices may lead to substantial improvements by making patient-reported outcomes available for clinical decision-making.

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Acknowledgment

This publication was made possible by Grant Number CMS-1C1-12-0001 from the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (Principal Investigator, Paul Read, M.D). Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and have not been approved by the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA

    G. J. Stukenborg & J. Harrison

  2. Division of Palliative Care, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA

    L. Blackhall, J. S. Barclay, P. Dillon & M. A. Davis

  3. University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA

    M. Mallory

  4. Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA

    P. Read

  5. Division of Patient Outcomes, Policy, and Epidemiologic Research, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia Surgical Outcomes Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, P.O. Box 800717, Charlottesville, VA, 22908-0821, USA

    G. J. Stukenborg

Authors
  1. G. J. Stukenborg
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  2. L. Blackhall
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  3. J. Harrison
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  4. J. S. Barclay
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  5. P. Dillon
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  6. M. A. Davis
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  7. M. Mallory
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  8. P. Read
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to G. J. Stukenborg.

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Stukenborg, G.J., Blackhall, L., Harrison, J. et al. Cancer patient-reported outcomes assessment using wireless touch screen tablet computers. Qual Life Res 23, 1603–1607 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-013-0595-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-013-0595-2

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