Randomised trial of personalised computer based information for cancer patients

BMJ 1999;319:1241-1247 ( 6 November )

Information in practice

Randomised trial of personalised computer based information for cancer patients

Ray Jones, senior lecturer in health informatics, ^a Janne Pearson, research assistant, ^a Sandra McGregor, research assistant, ^a Alison J Cawsey, lecturer in computer science, ^b Ann Barrett, professor of radiation oncology, ^c Neil Craig, lecturer in health economics, ^a Jacqueline M Atkinson, senior lecturer in behavioural sciences, ^a W Harper Gilmour, senior lecturer in medical statistics, ^a Jim McEwen, professor of public health. ^a

^a Department of Public Health, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8RZ, ^b Department of Computer Science, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS, ^c Beatson Oncology Centre, Western Infirmary, Glasgow G11 6NT

Correspondence to: R Jones r.b.jones{at}udcf.gla.ac.uk

Objective: To compare the use and effect of a computerbased information system for cancer patients that is personalisedusing each patient's medical record with a system providing onlygeneral information and with information provided inbooklets.
Design: Randomised trial with three groups. Data collectedat start of radiotherapy, one week later (when information provided),three weeks later, and three monthslater.
Participants: 525 patients started radical radiotherapy;438 completed followup.
Interventions: Two groups were offered information via computer(personalised or general information, or both) with open accessto computer thereafter; the third group was offered a selectionof informationbooklets.
Outcomes: Patients' views and preferences, use of computerand information, and psychological status; doctors' perceptions;cost ofinterventions.
Results: More patients offered the personalised informationsaid that they had learnt something new, thought the informationwas relevant, used the computer again, and showed their computerprintouts to others. There were no major differences in doctors'perceptions of patients. More of the general computer group wereanxious at three months. With an electronic patient record system,in the long run the personalised information system would costno more than the general system. Full access to booklets costtwice as much as the generalsystem.
Conclusions: Patients preferred computer systems that providedinformation from their medical records to systems that just providedgeneral information. This has implications for the design andimplementation of electronic patient record systems and relianceon general sources of patientinformation.

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