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Published on: August 1, 2019
Handheld vs. laptop computers for electronic data collection in clinical research: a crossover randomized trial
Guy Haller1, Dagmar M Haller, Delphine S Courvoisier
1Unit of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Anesthesiology, Geneva University Hospitals, 24 Rue Micheli-du-Crest, 1211 Geneva 14, Switzerland. Guy.Haller@hcuge.ch
Summary
Laptops significantly improve electronic data collection speed and accuracy in clinical research compared to handheld devices. Handhelds increase data entry time and error rates, warranting caution in their use.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Research Technology
- Data Management in Healthcare
Background:
- Electronic data collection is increasingly used in clinical research.
- Both handheld and laptop computers are current devices for this purpose.
- User efficiency and data accuracy are key considerations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare user speed, data entry error rates, and satisfaction between handheld and laptop computers.
- To evaluate the efficiency of two electronic data collection devices in a clinical research setting.
Main Methods:
- A randomized cross-over trial was conducted involving 160 paper-based questionnaires and 45,440 variables.
- Four data coders entered data using either a laptop or a handheld computer under controlled conditions.
- Data recording duration, typing errors, and missing data were compared between the two devices.
Main Results:
- Laptop use significantly reduced data recording duration (2.0 min vs. 3.3 min) and improved data accuracy.
- Typing errors per 1,000 entries were lower with laptops (5.8) compared to handhelds (8.4).
- Missing data errors decreased substantially with laptops (2.9 per 1,000) versus handhelds (22.8 per 1,000).
Conclusions:
- Laptops offer superior performance for electronic data collection in clinical research over handheld devices.
- Handheld computers should be used cautiously due to increased data entry time and error risks.
- The findings are particularly relevant for studies involving patient self-reporting or data collection by non-expert users.
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