Abstract
Collecting outcome scores in paper form is fraught with difficulty. We have assessed the feasibility of and patient’s attitude towards entering scores using a touchscreen.
A touchscreen was installed in the orthopaedic outpatient clinic. If relevant, patients were asked to complete either an Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) or Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS) using the screen. Patients were given written instructions and their hospital number by the receptionist who had no further input. Scores were completed with two identifiers. A paper questionnaire was used to assess computer experience and attitude towards the touchscreen.
Results: 1377 patients, average age 51 successfully completed a score in the first 12 months. 1/3 were over 60. 93% correctly entered their hospital number and date of birth, falling to 85% in patients over 70. All patients were identifiable. The average time to complete the scores was 4 minutes rising with age.
Of 170 patients completing the questionnaire, 1/3 had little or no experience of computers and 1/3 were over 60. 93% of patients were willing to repeat the score using the touchscreen to monitor progress. 2/3 found it easier to use than expected. Only 10% would prefer a paper score. These results were maintained among patients over 60. Only 2 were unable to complete the score and 80 % of those potentially eligible did so. The remainder were called to clinic before the touchscreen was free.
Conclusion: Orthopaedic outcome scores can be collected in very large volumes using a touchscreen. Data is then in an immediately usable form. The method is acceptable to the patients, independent of age and computer experience. Even in the oldest patients the accuracy is higher than for paper versions of the score. Combined with operative data, this simple method has the potential to provide a very powerful audit tool indeed.
The abstracts were prepared by Mr D J Bracey. Correspondence should be addressed to him c/o Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust, Truro, Cornwall TR1 3LJ
