title: [Quality of life in oncology: electronic device to collect data].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We aimed to evaluate an automated method for collecting data for cancer patients' quality of life (QoL). We compared the traditional method of collecting data on paper with the new collecting method using a touch screen computer. We also studied its reliability as a feasible alternative to evaluate the QoL of cancer patients in real time.
  
  
  METHODS
  200 cancer patients completed the EORTC QLQ-C30 on paper and on the computer with a time interval of one hour. The first 100 patients answered first on paper and, subsequently, on the computer; the remaining patients followed the opposite procedure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no statistically significant differences between the paper and the computer answers. We observed high correlations and large agreements between them. The best correlation values were obtained for the subscales diarrhea and physical functioning. Besides these findings, we observed a higher acceptability among patients using the computer when comparing with the use of paper.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The computer version of the QLQ-C30 showed similar results compared to the paper version and it proved to be better accepted and tolerated by the cancer patients included in the study. This method can be valid in oncology setting and useful for monitoring the patients' QoL in daily practice, in real time, and it could be a useful means to support clinical decision making.
authors.affiliation: Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, Secção Autónoma das Ciências da Saúde, Universidade de Aveiro, Aveiro.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Pedro L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: Bárbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Antunes
authors.forename: Francisco L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Pimentel
mesh_terms: D003201:Computers; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires