scholarly journals A pilot study of patient satisfaction with a self-completed tablet-based digital questionnaire for collecting the patient’s medical history in an emergency department

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leander Melms ◽  
Juergen R. Schaefer ◽  
Andreas Jerrentrup ◽  
Tobias Mueller

Abstract Background The increasing popularity and availability of tablet computers raises questions regarding clinical scenarios. This pilot study examined the patient’s satisfaction when using a tablet-based digital questionnaire as a tool for obtaining medical history in an emergency department and to what extent gender, age, technical competence and mother tongue influence the user satisfaction. Patients were asked to complete three consecutive questionnaires: The first questionnaire collected basic epidemiological data to measure past digital usage behaviour, the second questionnaire collected the patient’s medical history, and the third questionnaire assessed the overall perceived user satisfaction when using the tablet-based survey application for medical anamnesis. Results Of 111 consenting patients, 86 completed all three questionnaires. In summary, the user evaluation was positive with 97.7% (n = 84) of the patients stating that they had no major difficulties using the digital questionnaire. Only 8.1% (n = 7) of patients reported a preference to fill out a paper-and-pen version on the next visit instead, while 98.8% (n = 85) stated that they would feel confident filling out a digital questionnaire on the next visit. The variables gender, age, mother tongue and/or technical competence did not exert a statistically significant influence towards the defined scales usability, content and overall impression. Conclusion In conclusion, self-administered tablet-based questionnaires are widely accepted tools for collecting medical information in the emergency room across all ages and genders, regardless of technical competence.

1969 ◽  
Vol 8 (02) ◽  
pp. 53-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Mayne

For the past several years, experimental studies have been undertaken at the Mayo Clinic to evaluate the feasibility of utilizing electronic data processing to handle medical information, especially the medical information which makes up a medical record. We have experimented with automated techniques for collecting and storing medical-history data, specifically with techniques for computer generation and processing of health questionnaires, for computer-controlled administration of health questionnaires, and for computer-controlled entry and retrieval of medical-history data directly by physicians in ordinary English language by use of a video-screen and light-pen computer terminal.The questionnaire studies are concerned with ways of entering into computer storage medical-history data obtained from patients without physician involvement; the video-screen studies are concerned with entry into computer storage of medical-history data obtained by physicians in their interview with the patient. The paper describes our experiences in these studies.


2021 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 1071-1078
Author(s):  
Joshua Chodosh ◽  
Keith Goldfeld ◽  
Barbara E. Weinstein ◽  
Kate Radcliffe ◽  
Madeleine Burlingame ◽  
...  

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 784
Author(s):  
Ebony T. Lewis ◽  
Kathrine A. Hammill ◽  
Maree Ticehurst ◽  
Robin M. Turner ◽  
Sally Greenaway ◽  
...  

We aimed to identify the level of prognostic disclosure, type of prognostic information and delivery format of prognostic communication that older adults diagnosed with a life-limiting illness or caregivers prefer to receive. We developed and pilot tested an open-ended survey to 15 older patients and caregivers who had experience in health services for life-limiting illness either for a relative, friend or themselves. Five hypothetical clinical scenarios of prognostic options were presented to ascertain preferences. The preferred format to receive prognostic information was verbal delivery by the clinician with a written summary. Photos and videos were less favoured, and a table with numbers/percentages was least preferred. Distress levels to the prognostic scenarios were low, with the exception of a photo. We conclude that older patients/caregivers want end-of-life prognostic information delivered the traditional way, verbally by clinicians. Options to deliver prognostic information may vary across patient groups but empower clinicians in introducing end-of-life discussions with patients/caregivers. Our study illustrates the feasibility of involving terminal patients and caregivers in research that contributes to eliciting prognostic preferences. Further research is needed to understand whether the prognostic preferences of hospitalized patients with life-limiting illness differ.


BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. e023920 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vijay S Gc ◽  
Mohamad Alshurafa ◽  
David J Sturgess ◽  
Joseph Ting ◽  
Kye Gregory ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo estimate the cost implications of early angiography for patients with suspected non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTEACS) using tissue Doppler imaging (TDI).DesignA decision tree model was used to synthesise data from the pilot study and literature sources. Sensitivity analyses tested the impact of assumptions incorporated into the analysis.SettingEmergency department (ED), Brisbane, Australia.ParticipantsPatients with suspected NSTEACS.InterventionsTDI as a diagnostic tool for triaging patients within 4 hours of presentation in addition to conventional risk stratification, compared with conventional risk stratification alone.Data sourcesResource used for diagnosis and management were recorded prospectively and costed for 51 adults who had echocardiography within 24 hours of admission. Costs for conventional care were based on observed data. Cost estimates for the TDI intervention assumed patients classified as high risk at TDI (E/e’>14) progressed early to angiography with an associated 1-day reduction in length of stay.Primary outcome measuresCosts until discharge from the Australian healthcare perspective in 2016–2017 prices.ResultsFindings suggest that using TDI as a diagnostic tool for triaging patients with suspected NSTEACS is likely to be cost saving by $A1090 (95% credible interval: $A573 to $A1703) per patient compared with conventional care. The results are mainly driven by the assumed reduction in length of stay due to the inclusion of early TDI in clinical decision-making.ConclusionsThis pilot study indicates that compared with conventional risk stratification, triaging patients presenting with suspected NSTEACS with TDI within 4 hours of ED presentation has potential cost savings. Findings assume a reduction in hospital stay is achieved for patients considered to be high risk at TDI. Larger, comparative studies with longer follow-up are needed to confirm the clinical effectiveness of TDI as a diagnostic strategy for NSTEACS, the assumed reduction in hospital stay and any cost saving.


2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kori Sauser ◽  
Lora Alkhawam ◽  
Linda Pierchala ◽  
Peter S. Pang

Acute heart failure (AHF) may lead to subclinical tissue ischemia due to hypoperfusion from inadequate forward flow or congestion. The aim of the present study is to test whether lactate levels are elevated in emergency department (ED) patients with AHF. A prospective pilot study of ED AHF patients was conducted. Venous lactate level was measured at baseline and 6-12 hours after initial draw. Of the 50 patients enrolled, mean age was 65.3 years, 68% were male. Only 7 (14%) had an elevated lactate on either draw, with no differences in baseline characteristics between patients with and without elevated lactate. Patients with an elevated lactate had a higher mean heart rate (99 <em>vs</em> 81, P=0.03) and trended toward an increased rate of abnormal initial temperature (57 <em>vs</em> 23%, P=0.06). In this pilot study, only a minority of acute HF patients had an elevated lactate on presentation.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document