New Technology for Colorectal Surveys

Nathalie Mantilla, MD, Ariane Abcarian, MD, Jose Cintron, MD, Marc Singer, MD, Herand Abcarian, MD. University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL. Northshore Medical Group, Highland Park, IL.

PURPOSE
Self-administered patient questionnaires are available in colorectal surgery, and can provide useful information for better classification and understanding of patients’ conditions and can be helpful with clinical decision-making, and future management. At this time, no data is available comparing touch-screen laptops and paper surveys in the colorectal clinic settings.
We demonstrate a practical method to apply colorectal surgery questionnaires for patients using a touch-screen laptop.

METHODS
We developed a practical and simple method to apply questionnaires to colorectal surgery patients using a touch-screen laptop Dell LATITUD ¦ XT. It consists of a software developed based in well described and routinely used surveys in colorectal surgery to evaluate pathologies such as fecal and urinary incontinence, constipation as well as stomas. We are currently collecting data prospectively from the pelvic floor clinic using a tablet which is connected through the medical center web system with the medical records. It allows us to get a final report with the results of the questionnaires, for quick and easy data retrieval and sharing of the information with other physicians involved in the patient care. Data will remain permanently in the medical records. A satisfaction survey at the end of the completion of questionnaires will rate the usefulness of this method.
The following surveys are included (English and Spanish versions): Constipation Severity Instrument, Constipation Quality of Life Instrument, Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale, Fecal Incontinence Severity Index, Stoma Quality of Life Scale, Urinary Incontinence and Satisfaction Survey.

RESULTS
Paper assessments require valuable time to process the data, results in delay in integrating the information obtained, reproducing the clinical use and decision-making for scientific purposes.
The use of mobile electronic devices such as touch-screen laptop simplifies data acquisition and accelerates information transfer between patients and physicians by eliminating intermediate data collection and processing steps.

CONCLUSIONS
Computer-based questionnaires reduces the amounts expended in printing materials, is greener, as well as it can result more convenient using a computer database that eventually can be added to the medical records if necessary. This results, in improved patient care.
 

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