Personal digital assistant uses and preferences among clinical oncologists: a needs assessment

Abstract

A needs assessment was performed to determine user inforniation requirements jbr handheld and mobile personal digital assistants within the clinical oncologv communi@. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews, a survey instrument. and a focus group in order to triangulate thejndings. The data were analped quantitatively for demographics, current practices, and information gathering preferences. and qualitat ivelv for the development of future decision aids, clinical aids, and practice management tools.

Effectiveness and cost benefits of computer-based decision aids for equipment maintenance

“…They also indicated that each trial had its own selection criteria, which left them to focus on one or two individual trials, neglect other trials, and seek patients who fit the criteria for the specific trials they selected. Mozelak, Glassman, and Johnston (2001) concluded that significant problems exist in enrolling cancer patients for clinical trials because of the need to manage increasing volumes of data and track the rapidly evolving inclusion and exclusion heuristics for each trial.…”

“…Recently, 80 percent of one sample of oncologists reported using PDA-based decision aids for this purpose [Mozelak, Glassman, and Johnston (2001)]. Many other applications are likely to be developed, raising issues concerning their cost and effectiveness.…”

“…By searching clinical trial inclusion and exclusion criteria, Mozelak, Glassman, and Johnston (2001) determined that algorithmic heuristics could fit each of the clinical trials.…”