Patient preference to use a questionnaire varies according to attributes

Health care professionals may assume questionnaires are burdensome to patients, and this limits their use in clinical settings and promotes simplification. However, patient adherence may improve by optimizing questionnaire attributes and contexts.

This cross-sectional survey used Contingent Valuation methods to directly elicit patient preference for conventional monitoring of symptoms, versus adding a tool to monitoring. Under explicit consideration was the 10-question Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS). In the questionnaire, attributes of ESAS were sequentially altered to try and force preference reversal. A separate group of participants completed both questionnaire and interviews to explore questionnaire reliability, and extend validity.

Overall, 24 of 43 participants preferred using ESAS. Most important attributes to preference were frequency, specificity, and complexity. Where preference is initially against ESAS, it may reverse by simplifying the tool and its administrative processes. Interviews in 10 additional participants supported reproducibility and validity of the questionnaire method.

Preference for using tools increases when tools are made relevant and used more appropriately.

Questionnaires completed by patients as screening tools or aids to communication may be under-utilized. Optimization of ESAS and similar tools may be guided by empirical findings, including those obtained from Contingent Valuation methodologies.