Original Article
Internet-based Computerized Patient Assessment System (iComPAssS): a cross-sectional analysis of needs, acceptance and readiness among adult cancer patients in a tertiary care center
Abstract
Background: Data on the attitude and perception of adult Filipino cancer patients towards health-related information and communications technology (ICT) and prevalence of access to, willingness to use of and actual usage of ICTs are lacking. We sought to assess the needs, acceptance and readiness of our cancer patient population for a web-based patient-reported outcomes capture system (WPROCS), eventually to be called Internet-based Computerized Patient Assessment System (iComPAssS) in order to guide us in its development.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey among adult cancer patients consecutively seen at our institute, using previously developed questionnaires [WPROCS-Needs, Acceptance and Readiness Assessment (NARA) Questionnaires]. The influence of socio-demographic variables and computer and internet access and usage on attitude and perception towards health-related ICT, willingness to acquire materials, undergo training for its use, and to actually use it was examined using multiple regression analysis.
Results: The majority of our respondents (n=130; median age 44, range 28–80) were aged less than 60 (90%), females (78%) and with secondary schooling (98%). The majority (81%) reported good health but 74% reported significant health needs; 85% reported easy access to health care or advice but only 38% reported prompt delivery of health care or advice. The majority (≥95%) have a positive attitude and perception of the idea, and about 90% were willing to acquire materials or undergo training. The only socio-demographic variable that was predictive of acceptance of ICT, willingness to acquire materials, undergo training for its use, and actually use it was younger age. Higher education and income were associated with acceptance of ICT. Frequency of computer/internet use, previous training, and possession of mobile devices to access internet were predictive of acceptance and willingness to acquire materials for ICT use. Internet use for civic and political information and professional life were associated with willingness to acquire materials while internet use in communicating with relatives were associated with willingness to learn ICT usage and to actually use it.
Conclusions: Overall, our findings support an opportunity for improving monitoring patient-reported outcomes (PROs) through ICT in our setting.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey among adult cancer patients consecutively seen at our institute, using previously developed questionnaires [WPROCS-Needs, Acceptance and Readiness Assessment (NARA) Questionnaires]. The influence of socio-demographic variables and computer and internet access and usage on attitude and perception towards health-related ICT, willingness to acquire materials, undergo training for its use, and to actually use it was examined using multiple regression analysis.
Results: The majority of our respondents (n=130; median age 44, range 28–80) were aged less than 60 (90%), females (78%) and with secondary schooling (98%). The majority (81%) reported good health but 74% reported significant health needs; 85% reported easy access to health care or advice but only 38% reported prompt delivery of health care or advice. The majority (≥95%) have a positive attitude and perception of the idea, and about 90% were willing to acquire materials or undergo training. The only socio-demographic variable that was predictive of acceptance of ICT, willingness to acquire materials, undergo training for its use, and actually use it was younger age. Higher education and income were associated with acceptance of ICT. Frequency of computer/internet use, previous training, and possession of mobile devices to access internet were predictive of acceptance and willingness to acquire materials for ICT use. Internet use for civic and political information and professional life were associated with willingness to acquire materials while internet use in communicating with relatives were associated with willingness to learn ICT usage and to actually use it.
Conclusions: Overall, our findings support an opportunity for improving monitoring patient-reported outcomes (PROs) through ICT in our setting.
