Researchers retrospectively analyzed prospectively collected data for 2,532 patients at an outpatient orthopedic clinic in the United Kingdom analyzing all new adult patients over 32 months.
The patients completed their outcomes surveys either beforehand, or at the clinic on a tablet. Physicians completed the matched diagnostic data during the appointment.
Here’s what they found.
1. Eighty-six percent of patients completed the survey in total. Of that, 50 percent completed the survey prior to the appointment with 31.5 percent using a tablet or cellphone to do so.
2. Physicians reported data on 98.3 percent of all patients.
3. The mean outcome was 8.55 out of 10, and 666 patients left comments related to the surveying system.
4. Of the 666 commenters, 214 felt the system did not “adequately capture their symptoms,” as a result the patients had significantly lower reported outcomes.
5. The researchers concluded, “The study demonstrates the successful implementation of technology into a service improvement program.”
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