Validation and Patient Acceptance of a Touch Tablet Version of the iHOT-12 Questionnaire

Abstract

To validate the iHOT-12 german version in a touch screen tablet pc format and to assess patient acceptance of the tablet touch screen version. The paper and touch tablet version of the iHOT-12G were applied in random order to 60 inpatients treated with hip arthroscopy. The correlation between formats was assessed by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Patient perferences for paper or computer format were assessed with a supplementary questionnaire. ICC between formats were 96% for pain and 92% for function. ICC were comparable in women and men and in patients with or without computer experience. The tablet format was found easier to use by 42% of subjects, while an overall of 58% percent of subjects preferred the touch device format. Time to calculate final score was significantly lower in the tablet format. The source code for the touch device webapp is offered for download under a free software license. The touch tablet format of the iHOT-12G is a reliable patient reported outcome tool for hip arthroscopy. The paper and touch device format correlated highly independent of age, gender or computer experience. The new format facilitates score calculation by providing immediate results and may improve patient follow up by meeting patients preferences.