title: Socioeconomic deprivation and age are barriers to the online collection of patient reported outcome measures in orthopaedic patients.
abstract: Introduction Questionnaires are used commonly to assess functional outcome and satisfaction in surgical patients. Although these have in the past been administered through written forms, there is increasing interest in the use of new technology to improve the efficiency of collection. The aim of this study was to assess the availability of internet access for a group of orthopaedic patients and the acceptability of online survey completion. Methods A total of 497 patients attending orthopaedic outpatient clinics were surveyed to assess access to the internet and their preferred means for completing follow-up questionnaires. Results Overall, 358 patients (72%) reported having internet access. Lack of access was associated with socioeconomic deprivation and older age. Multivariable regression confirmed increased age and greater deprivation to be independently associated with lack of internet access. Out of the total group, 198 (40%) indicated a preference for assessment of outcomes via email and the internet. Conclusions Internet access was not universal among the patients in our orthopaedic clinic. Reliance on internet collection of PROMs may introduce bias by not including results from patients in older age groups and those from the more deprived socioeconomic groups.
authors.affiliation: NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde , UK.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.affiliation: University of Glasgow , UK.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sng
authors.affiliation: NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde , UK.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Brooksbank
authors.affiliation: NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde , UK.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Brooksbank
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003625:Data Collection / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009985:Orthopedics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D063868:Patient Outcome Assessment; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Internet access; Outcome assessment; Patient reported outcome measures; Socioeconomic deprivation