Physicians' choice in using Internet and fax for patient recruitment and follow-up in a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the physicians' preference between Web and fax-based remote data entry (RDE) system for an ongoing randomized controlled trial (RCT) in Japan.


METHODS
We conducted a survey among all the collaborating physicians (n = 512) of the CASE-J (Candesartan Antihypertensive Survival Evaluation in Japan) trial, who have been recruiting patients and sending follow-up data using the Web or a fax-based RDE system. The survey instrument assessed physicians' choice between Web and fax-based RDE systems, their practice pattern, and attitudes towards these two modalities.


RESULTS
A total of 448 (87.5%) responses were received. The proportions of physicians who used Web, fax, and the combination of these two were 45.9%, 33.3% and 20.8%, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that physicians 55 years or younger [odds ratio (OR) = 1.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.1-3.3] and regular users of computers (OR = 4.2, 95% CI = 2.1-8.2) were more likely to use the Web-based RDE system.


CONCLUSIONS
This information would be useful in designing an RCT with a Web-based RDE system in Japan and abroad.
Rahman
M
M
Department of Epidemiological and Clinical Research, Information Management, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Yoshidakonoe-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan. rahman@pbh.med.kyoto-u.ac.jp
Morita
S
S
Fukui
T
T
Sakamoto
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001292:Attitude to Computers; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018579:Patient Selection; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D035844:Researcher-Subject Relations; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016636:Telefacsimile / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*