6609 Introduction: Programmed wireless notebook computers (e-tablets) can collect review of systems (ROS) data at point of care. Patients complete surveys in the clinic waiting area; a report is generated for the subsequent clinical visit. Are e-tablets a feasible, acceptable method for collecting data directly from patients in an academic cancer clinic? Can they reliably collect other survey data? Methods: We used PACE e-tablets (SOS, Inc.) to administer Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT)-G, FACT-B, MD Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI), FACIT-Fatigue, and Self Efficacy instruments, in addition to the PACE Patient Care Monitor (PCM) ROS survey. Participants were 66 breast cancer patients in Duke Breast Cancer Clinic. At 4 visits in 6 months, participants completed all electronic and 1 paper survey. Subscales were compared using paired t-tests. Patients completed an electronic survey of satisfaction with PCM. Results: Mean age, 55 (SD 12); 77% Caucasian; 49% no college degree; 68% married; 61% metastatic cancer. Patients strongly supported e-tablets: easy to read (94%), easy to respond to questions (98%), weight of computer comfortable (87%). Satisfaction increased over time: helpful for reporting symptoms (75–88%), would recommend PCM to other patients (87–94%). 75% indicated PCM helped them remember symptoms to discuss with the clinician. Responses to paper and electronic surveys were nearly identical for 3 of 4 FACT-G, and all FACT-B, MDASI, and FACIT-Fatigue subscales (all p>0.31). Responses on FACT-G Social Wellbeing and 4 Self Efficacy subscales differed from paper to electronic (all p<0.006, all electronic scores poorer). Conclusions: Patients are satisfied with e-tablets. E- tablets furnish comparable data to those collected by paper on nearly all scales tested. PCM offers a valid, feasible method for collecting research-quality, clinically relevant data from patients in outpatient academic oncology. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.