Computer interviewing in urogynaecology: concept, development and psychometric testing of an electronic pelvic floor assessment questionnaire in primary and secondary care.
OBJECTIVE
To develop and evaluate a Web-based, electronic pelvic floor symptoms assessment questionnaire (e-PAQ)1 for women.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study in primary and secondary care.


METHODS
Two general practices, two community health clinics and a secondary care urogynaecology clinic.


METHODS
A total of 432 women (204 in primary care and 228 in secondary care) were recruited between June 2003 and January 2004.


METHODS
The e-PAQ was located on a workstation (computer, touchscreen and printer). Women completed the e-PAQ prior to their appointment. Untreated women in primary care were asked to return seven days later to complete the e-PAQ a second time (test-retest).


METHODS
Factor analysis, reliability, validity, patient satisfaction, completion times and system costs.


RESULTS
In secondary care, factor analysis identified 14 domains within the four dimensions (urinary, bowel, vaginal and sexual symptoms) with internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha)>or=0.7 in 11 of these. In primary care, alpha values were all>or=0.7 and test-retest analysis found acceptable intraclass correlations of 0.50-0.95 (P<0.001) for all domains. A measure of face validity and utility was gained using a nine-item questionnaire, which yielded strongly positive patient views on relevance and acceptability.


CONCLUSIONS
The e-PAQ offers a user-friendly clinical tool, which provides valid and reliable data. The system offers comprehensive symptoms and quality of life evaluation and may enhance the clinical episode as well as the quality of care for women with pelvic floor disorders.
Radley
S C
SC
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, and Statistical Sciences Department, Leicester University, UK.
Jones
G L
GL
Tanguy
E A
EA
Stevens
V G
VG
Nelson
C
C
Mathers
N J
NJ
D000553:Ambulatory Care; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000592:standards*; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D052776:Female Urogenital Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D017773:Pelvic Floor; D011594:Psychometrics; D019114:Remote Consultation / Q000592:standards*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*