Evaluating Health‐Related Quality of Life: Cost Comparison of Computerized Touch‐Screen Technology and Traditional Paper Systems

• DOI: 10.1592/phco.20.17.1390.34887
• Publication Date: 2004-06-15T19:27:47Z
• Authors: Jennifer H. Lofland; Michael Schaffer; Neil Goldfarb
• Keywords: Facsimile; Questionnaire; Survey data collection

We estimated and compared the costs for three different methods of administering evaluating Short Form‐36 as a routine part clinical practice from provider perspective. In an outpatient pain management practice, we assessed computer touch‐screen system with facsimile scanning scoring methods. Equipment, supply, labor needed to construct, maintain, generate reports each were measured. The annual fixed, variable, total costs/survey calculated. Sensitivity analyses performed varying number surveys administered/year. method was least costly, $9.62 $5.88/survey, at questionnaire volumes 250 1000, respectively. When survey volume increased 1250 (5 surveys/day), ($5.63/survey) ($5.65/survey) nearly equivalent per administration. At 1500 above, costly touch screen $5.47/survey. implemented in is dependent not only on but also personnel availability, equipment access, required speed results, acceptable level data error.