The Article in Brief

Data Collection Outcomes Comparing Paper Forms With PDA Forms in an Office-Based Patient Survey

James M. Galliher, PhD , and colleagues

Background There are many challenges to collecting and managing research data in medical offices. A survey on immunizations provided an opportunity to look at the use of handheld computers for administering and transmitting patient survey data and compare the completeness of data gathered using paper forms vs handheld computers.

What This Study Found The overall survey return rate was better for paper forms than for electronic forms due to technical difficulties with electronic data collection and stolen or lost personal digital assistants (PDAs). There were more errors of omission on the paper forms.

Implications

• Although handheld computers produce more complete data than paper forms for survey data, these PDAs are not superior because of large amounts of missing data resulting from technical difficulties or their theft or loss.
• Other hardware solutions, such as tablet computers or cell phones linked via a wireless network directly to a Web site, may be better electronic solutions for the future.