Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2026

E-Patient Counseling Trial (E-PACO): Computer Based Education versus Nurse Counseling for Patients to Prepare for Colonoscopy
Published on: August 1, 2019
Collecting patient race/ethnicity and primary language data in ambulatory care settings: a case study in methodology
Latha P Palaniappan1, Eric C Wong, Jessica J Shin
1Palo Alto Medical Foundation Research Institute, CA 94301, USA. lathap@pamf.org
Objective:
To collect patient race/ethnicity and language (r/e/l) in an ambulatory care setting.
Data Sources/Study Setting:
The Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF), December 2006-May 2008.
Study Design:
Three pilot studies: (1) Comparing mail versus telephone versus clinic visit questionnaire distribution; (2) comparing the front desk method (FDM) versus exam room method (ERM) in the clinic visit; and (3) determining resource allocation necessary for data entry.
Data Collection/Extraction Methods:
Studies were planned and executed by PAMF's Quality and Planning division.
Principal Findings:
Collecting r/e/l data during clinic visits elicited the highest response rate. The FDM yielded higher response rate than the ERM. One full-time equivalent is initially necessary for data entry.
Conclusions:
Conducting sequential studies can help guide r/e/l collection in a short time frame.
Related Concept Videos
Data Collection II
Data Collection I
Methods of Documentation VI: Case Management Model
For example, a patient with a chronic illness...
Data Collection III
The principles to begin the physical assessment include conducting a comprehensive or problem-related history in a quiet, well-lit room, emphasizing privacy and comfort for the patient.
Data Collection by Observations
An astronomer viewing the motion and brightness of stars in the sky and recording the data is an example of observational data collection. A botanist recording...
Documentation in Long-Term and Home Healthcare Setting
Long-Term Care Facilities
