• Kristin H Mullen, Donna L Berry, and Brenda K Zierler.
• Palliative Care Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA. kmullen@u.washington.edu
• Oncol Nurs Forum. 2004 Sep 1; 31 (5): E84-9.

Purpose/ObjectivesTo determine the acceptability and usability of a computerized quality-of-life (QOL) and symptom assessment tool and the graphically displayed QOL and symptom output in an ambulatory radiation oncology clinic.DesignDescriptive, cross-sectional.SettingRadiation oncology clinic located in an urban university medical center.Sample45 patients with cancer being evaluated for radiation therapy and 10 clinicians, who submitted 12 surveys.MethodsAcceptability of the computerized assessment was measured with an online, 16-item, Likert-style survey delivered as 45 patients undergoing radiation therapy completed a 25-item QOL and symptom assessment. Usability of the graphic output was assessed with clinician completion of a four-item paper survey.Main Research VariablesAcceptability and usability of computerized patient assessment.FindingsThe patient acceptability survey indicated that 70% (n = 28) liked computers and 10% (n = 4) did not. The program was easy to use for 79% (n = 26), easy to understand for 91% (n = 30), and enjoyable for 71% (n = 24). Seventy-six percent (n = 25) believed that the amount of time needed to complete the computerized survey was acceptable. Sixty-six percent (n = 21) responded that they were satisfied with the program, and none of the participants chose the very dissatisfied response. Eighty-three percent (n = 10) of the clinicians found the graphic output helpful in promoting communication with patients, 75% (n = 9) found the output report helpful in identifying appropriate areas of QOL deficits or concerns, and 83% (n = 10) indicated that the output helped guide clinical interactions with patients.ConclusionsThe computer-based QOL and symptom assessment tool is acceptable to patients, and the graphically displayed QOL and symptom output is useful to radiation oncology nurses and physicians.Implications For NursingWider application of computerized patient-generated data can continue in various cancer settings and be tested for clinical and organizational outcomes.

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