Oncology outpatient and provider responses to a computerized symptom assessment system.
OBJECTIVE
To assess patient and provider responses to a computerized symptom assessment system.


METHODS
Descriptive, longitudinal study with retrospective, longitudinal medical records review.


METHODS
University-based National Cancer Institute-designated outpatient cancer center.


METHODS
80 oncology outpatients receiving chemotherapy, 8 providers, and 30 medical records.


METHODS
Patients completed the computerized assessment during three chemotherapy follow-up clinic appointments (times 1, 2, and 3). Patient usability was recorded via an observer checklist (ease of use) and the computer (completion time). Patient satisfaction and impact were assessed during telephone interviews two to three days after times 1 and 3 only. Provider usability and impact were assessed at the end of the study using a questionnaire and focus groups, whereas effect on provider documentation was assessed through chart audits.


METHODS
Patient usability (ease of use, completion time), satisfaction, and impact; provider usability and impact.


RESULTS
Patients reported good usability, high satisfaction, and modest impact on discussions with their providers. Providers reported modest usability, modest impact on discussions with patients, and had varied reactions as to how the system affected practice. Documentation of symptoms was largely absent before and after implementation.


CONCLUSIONS
This system demonstrated good usability and satisfaction but had only a modest impact on symptom-related discussions and no impact on documentation.


CONCLUSIONS
A computerized system can help address barriers to symptom assessment but may not improve documentation unless it can be integrated into existing medical records systems.
Carpenter
Janet S
JS
School of Nursing, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA. carpentj@iupui.edu
Rawl
Susan
S
Porter
Jennifer
J
Schmidt
Karen
K
Tornatta
Jennifer
J
Ojewole
Foluso
F
Helft
Paul
P
Potter
David A
DA
Sweeney
Christopher
C
Giesler
R Brian
RB
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001292:Attitude to Computers; D004282:Documentation; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D004360:Drug Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized; D008875:Middle Aged; D015146:Midwestern United States; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010045:Outpatients / Q000523:psychology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012189:Retrospective Studies