title: Randomised trial of personalised computer based information for cancer patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the use and effect of a computer based information system for cancer patients that is personalised using each patient's medical record with a system providing only general information and with information provided in booklets.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomised trial with three groups. Data collected at start of radiotherapy, one week later (when information provided), three weeks later, and three months later.
  
  
  METHODS
  525 patients started radical radiotherapy; 438 completed follow up.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two groups were offered information via computer (personalised or general information, or both) with open access to computer thereafter; the third group was offered a selection of information booklets.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients' views and preferences, use of computer and information, and psychological status; doctors' perceptions; cost of interventions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  More patients offered the personalised information said that they had learnt something new, thought the information was relevant, used the computer again, and showed their computer printouts to others. There were no major differences in doctors' perceptions of patients. More of the general computer group were anxious at three months. With an electronic patient record system, in the long run the personalised information system would cost no more than the general system. Full access to booklets cost twice as much as the general system.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients preferred computer systems that provided information from their medical records to systems that just provided general information. This has implications for the design and implementation of electronic patient record systems and reliance on general sources of patient information.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8RZ. r.b.jones@udcf.gla.ac.uk
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pearson
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McGregor
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Cawsey
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barrett
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Craig
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Atkinson
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Gilmour
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McEwen
mesh_terms: D001292:Attitude to Computers; D003201:Computers / Q000191:economics; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D003625:Data Collection; D019992:Databases as Topic / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008490:Medical Informatics / Q000191:economics; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction