[Acceptance and reliability of an electronic psychooncological screening of patients with breast cancer: a randomized...

Many oncology centres have implemented a screening to identify distress in cancer patients. Assessments using paper-pencil questionnaires are time-consuming to score and may cause delays in providing psychooncological care. This challenges care-givers because it reduces the time available for inpatient treatment. In a randomized-controlled study, we examined an electronic screening tool which would enhance psychooncological clinical care by improving information flow, and by meeting demands of an electronic patient chart. In total 206 patients with breast cancer randomly received either a paper-pencil or electronic questionnaire to measure distress, as well as, the acceptance of the current screening procedure. The acceptance of the electronic screening was greater compared to that of the paper-pencil screening. The results of the two assessment approaches did not -differ. An electronic screening may provide a time -saving alternative with excellent data quality.