Abstract P2-15-02: Web-Based Patient-Intake Process for Breast Care Center: The Patient Experience
Authors: Hwang E-S , Melisko ME , Mendelsohn M , Rugo H , Schwab S , Hamolsky D , Ewing C , Alvarado M , Park J , Esserman L. 
Published: April 2011

Background: An important driver of health information technology will be an increased incorporation of self-reported patient health data into patient care workflow. We undertook this study to determine the feasibility, satisfaction, and challenges reported by patients related to the introduction of an electronic patient intake tool in an outpatient breast care clinic. Methods: A web-based self-reported new patient intake process was implemented in 2008 at an urban multi-disciplinary breast care clinic. The system was based on a platform developed by Dynamic Clinical Systems (DCS) which was designed to collect, warehouse, and provide reporting of data to inform patient treatment decisions. Patients new to the Breast Care Center with either breast symptoms or a newly diagnosed breast cancer were provided a weblink for data entry prior to the clinic visit. Patients were asked questions regarding medical/family history, symptoms, and psychosocial well-being. Data regarding the survey were compared among age groups using the chi square test.

Results: The first full calendar year for which data were collected was 1/1/09-12/31/09 during which 1218 women responded to the survey. Data were evaluated among 4 age groups: 0-18 (n=9), 19-49 (n=508), 50-69 (n=586), and ≥70 (n=115). 400 women (36%) were newly diagnosed with breast cancer; 106 (10%) of respondents had stage IV breast cancer. Overall 94.3% of patients took the survey themselves; 87% took the survey at home, compared to 7% in the doctors’ office. 89% reported using a high-speed (DSL, cable, wireless) internet connection. 69% of respondents completed the survey in less than one hour. Patients who completed the survey in the clinic (n=55) cited lack of access to the internet as the most common reason the survey was not completed in advance of the clinic visit (n=21). 64% of patients indicated e-mail as their preferred contact method; fewer women over 70 preferred e-mail contact to phone compared to younger groups (43%; P&lt;0.001), although even in this group, e-mail was the preferred mode of contact. 77% of patients reported satisfaction (41%) or high satisfaction (36%) with the survey system, with no difference in satisfaction seen among age groups (p=0.5).

Conclusion: Assessment of patients’ experience using a self-reported web-based patient intake form was conducted during the first full year of implementation. Most patients successfully completed the survey and indicated a high satisfaction level with its use. However, some differences were seen between age groups. Overall, &lt;2% of patients reported inability to access the internet. Electronic collection of self-reported patient data is not only feasible, but well accepted and has potential to facilitate patient care and treatment, reduce consultation time directed to collecting medical history, and allow standardized data collection for research and continuous quality improvement.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2010;70(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-15-02.