Patient preference for health status screening instruments

The Dartmouth Primary Care Cooperative Information Project (COOP) charts and mini-Duke-UNC Health Profile (DUHP) instruments were developed to screen patients' health status in clinical settings. The purpose of this study is to determine patient preferences for use of these instruments in a family practice setting. A sample of 203 consecutive, consenting patients presenting to a university-based family practice clinic was administered both instruments. Patients then completed a questionnaire which asked which instrument was preferred and why. Overall, neither instrument was significantly preferred by patients. Patient perceived accuracy for the COOP was significantly positively related to age and negatively related to quality of life. Patient ease, rather than perceived accuracy, dominated the preference relationship, yet neither instrument was found to be easier to use by the elderly or those in poorer health. This study reveals that patients prefer instruments which are easier to use, but that neither the COOP nor the mini-DUHP was found to be significantly easier to use by all patients. However, the COOP was perceived to be more accurate for a subset of patients, the elderly with poor quality of life beyond the realm of health.