A feasibility study of computer-assisted health-related quality of life data collection in patients with oral and oropharyngeal cancer

A feasibility study of computer-assisted health-related quality of life data collection in patients with oral and oropharyngeal cancer
Accepted 9 March 2006
L. Millsopp1, S. Frackleton2, D. Lowe3, S.N. Rogers3
International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

Abstract
Touchscreen technology (TST) has been widely used in the field of medicine. The purpose of this study was to pilot a standard TST system to administer the University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire (UWQOL) in a routine head and neck oncology clinic. The UWQOLv4 was completed using TST and a semi-structured interview was used to evaluate patientsĚ experience of the data collection process.

Forty-one of 44 consecutive cancer patients agreed to participate in the study.

Although over three-quarters of patients reported never having used a computer, all but one found the UWQOLv4 ÎeasyĚ or Îvery easyĚ to complete using the TST. They preferred the TST method to paper copy and the vast majority completed the TST in 10min or less. TST provides a very suitable mechanism for routine health-related quality of life data collection. The system is easy to programme and relatively inexpensive.

1 Liverpool University Dental Hospital, UK

2 University Hospital Aintree, UK

3 Regional Maxillofacial Unit, University Hospital Aintree, Lower Lane, Liverpool L9 7AL, UK

Address: Lynne Millsopp, Room 310C, Oral Pathology Suite, 3rd Floor, Liverpool University Dental Hospital, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 0BS, UK.

PII: S0901-5027(06)00156-1

doi:10.1016/j.ijom.2006.03.011

Š 2006 International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Copyright Š 2007 Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved

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