In a randomized controlled trial, patients preferred electronic data collection of breast cancer risk-factor information in a mammography setting.
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated patient acceptance of an electronic questionnaire to collect breast cancer risk-factor data in a mammography setting.


METHODS
We developed an electronic questionnaire on a tablet computer incorporating prefilled answers and skip patterns. Using a randomized controlled study design, we tested the survey in a mammography clinic that administers a paper risk-factor questionnaire to every woman at her screening mammogram. We randomized 160 women to use the electronic survey (experimental group, n = 86) or paper survey (control group, n = 74). We evaluated patient acceptance and data completeness.


RESULTS
Overall, 70.4% of the experimental group women thought the survey was very easy to use, compared to 55.6% of women in the control group. Ninety percent of experimental group women preferred using the tablet, compared to the paper questionnaire. Preference for the tablet did not differ by age; however, women > or = 60 years did not find the tablet as easy to use as did women < 60 years. The proportion of missing data was significantly lower on the tablet compared to the paper questionnaire (4.6% vs. 6.2%, P = .04).


CONCLUSIONS
Electronic questionnaires are feasible to use in a mammography setting, can improve data quality, and are preferred by women regardless of age.
Aiello
Erin J
EJ
Group Health Cooperative, Center for Health Studies, 1730 Minor Ave, Suite 1600, Seattle, WA 98101, USA. aiello.e@ghc.org
Taplin
Stephen
S
Reid
Robert
R
Hobbs
Maria
M
Seger
Deborah
D
Kamel
Hakim
H
Tufano
Jim
J
Ballard-Barbash
Rachel
R
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001292:Attitude to Computers; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000523:psychology*; D003625:Data Collection / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography; D008838:Microcomputers; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires