Results of a patient education project using a touch-screen computer.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this project was to increase use of the Physician Data Query and Patient Information File services of the National Cancer Institute in a clinical setting.


BACKGROUND
A patient education demonstration project was conducted at the University of Rochester Cancer Center using a touch-screen computer program called CancerHelp. Two computers were purchased, one stationed in the Patient Library at the University of Rochester Cancer Center and one circulated to three affiliated hospitals. Demographic information was asked at the beginning of the program and an evaluation was elicited at the end of the program. All information was given voluntarily; users of the system could bypass the questions if they wished. The computer program was very well received by patients and their families. The program was used 1758 times over 6 months.


CONCLUSIONS
A touch-screen computer program can be an effective method for distributing cancer information.
Fieler
V K
VK
University of Rochester Cancer Center, School of Nursing, NY 14642, USA.
Borch
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009316:National Institutes of Health (U.S.); D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D015397:Program Evaluation; D014481:United States; D014584:User-Computer Interface