Abstract
BackgroundHandheld computers are increasingly favoured over paper and pencil methods to capture data in clinical research.MethodsThis study systematically identified and reviewed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the two methods for self-recording and reporting data, and where at least one of the following outcomes was assessed: data accuracy; timeliness of data capture; and adherence to protocols for data collection.ResultsA comprehensive key word search of NLM Gateway's database yielded 9 studies fitting the criteria for inclusion. Data extraction was performed and checked by two of the authors. None of the studies included all outcomes. The results overall, favor handheld computers over paper and pencil for data collection among study participants but the data are not uniform for the different outcomes. Handheld computers appear superior in timeliness of receipt and data handling (four of four studies) and are preferred by most subjects (three of four studies). On the other hand, only one of the trials adequately compared adherence to instructions for recording and submission of data (handheld computers were superior), and comparisons of accuracy were inconsistent between five studies.ConclusionHandhelds are an effective alternative to paper and pencil modes of data collection; they are faster and were preferred by most users.
Highlights
Handheld computers are increasingly favoured over paper and pencil methods to capture data in clinical research
There are a number of published reviews on the use of handheld computers in the health care setting that focus on design aspects of the handheld device, advantages compared with paper methods, and the clinical applications in which they have been used [22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30]
These reviews provide the reader with much insight but they have limitations when comparing the actual performance of handheld computers with paper methods
Summary
Handheld computers are increasingly favoured over paper and pencil methods to capture data in clinical research. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making 2006, 6:23 http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6947/6/23 research[8,9]; smoking cessation research [10,11]; brain injury research [12,13]; menstrual symptom research[14]; field data collection research[15,16]; diabetes research[17]; eating disorder research[18]; respiratory care research[19]; blood donor research[20]; and adolescent anxiety research[21] Many of these studies have suggested that handheld technology has several advantages over traditional paper and pencil modes of data capture including but not limited to: data accuracy; timeliness of data capture; and adherence to protocols for data collection. When comparing the effectiveness of two methods, descriptive studies have limitations as they lack a comparative control group, and they are prone to publication bias and subject selection bias [31]
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