The use of the computerized version of quality of life and health status questionnaires in a community sample in southern Brazil

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Computerized data collection is an efficient process and well accepted by patients with different disorders. Although computer-based systems have been used to assess health status and quality of life in various areas of healthcare, there is a lack of studies to investigate the effectiveness of these instruments in Brazil. The aims here were to assess the usability of the Portuguese-language versions of the Personal Health Scale (PHS) and the Multicultural Quality of Life Index (MQLI) in southern Brazil and to determine the correlation between these two questionnaires. DESIGN AND SETTING: This was a cross-sectional community-based survey in which participants completed computerized versions of these two questionnaires. METHODS: In a survey conducted in 16 different locations, 458 volunteers completed both questionnaires. Pearson correlation coefficients were generated between the scores of the two questionnaires. The inclusion criteria allowed all volunteers who were able to understand the questions in both questionnaires to participate in the study. RESULTS: The percentage of proper data collection via the computerized versions of the two questionnaires combined was 97.45%. A significant correlation (P < 0.01) between the PHS and the MQLI was observed. CONCLUSION: The computerized versions of the PHS and MQLI demonstrated efficient data collection patterns during the field survey trials. Health-related issues were significantly correlated with the overall experience of wellbeing and quality of life. The computerized versions of the PHS and MQLI are valid tools for research and clinical use in Brazi

Cancer Patients and the Internet: A Survey of the ‘Quality of Life’ Working Groups of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Internistische Onkologie and the Nord-Ostdeutsche Gesellschaft für Gynäkologische Onkologie

Background: Patient-reported outcomes, such as quality of life (QoL) assessment, are becoming more important as end-point in clinical trials and for decision making regarding new anticancer product approvals. Nevertheless, numerous obstacles exist regarding the implementation of QoL assessment in the daily practice of medical oncologists. Regular, computerized or internet home-based QoL assessments could be a step forward. Methods: Using a 15-item paper questionnaire, we conducted a survey among 1580 cancer patients regarding their willingness to use internet QoL assessment, and collected personal data and information about current disease and performance status. Results: Younger patients (i.e. <= 65 years) significantly more often had internet access (78% versus 36%; chi(2) test, p < 0.001). Moreover, the availability of internet access correlated with higher education levels. 55% of all polled patients are willing to use an internet-based QoL assessment tool, regardless of the type of internet access, whereas almost two-thirds (n = 600; 65%) of patients with their own internet access would be willing to use it for providing statements about QoL. Of these, especially younger patients in good health status with higher education degrees indicated their willingness to use such tools. Conclusion: These data may serve as a basis for identifying patient groups willing to participate in pilot projects to evaluate the implementation of internet-based regular assessment of QoL in cancer