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BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making
Published in: BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making 1/2014

Open Access 01-12-2014 | Research article

A cross-sectional survey assessing the acceptability and feasibility of self-report electronic data collection about health risks from patients attending an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service

Authors: Natasha E Noble, Christine L Paul, Mariko L Carey, Robert W Sanson-Fisher, Stephen V Blunden, Jessica M Stewart, Katherine M Conigrave

Published in: BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making | Issue 1/2014

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Abstract

Background

Aboriginal Australians experience significantly worse health and a higher burden of chronic disease than non-Aboriginal Australians. Electronic self-report data collection is a systematic means of collecting data about health risk factors which could help to overcome screening barriers and assist in the provision of preventive health care. Yet this approach has not been tested in an Aboriginal health care setting. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the acceptability and feasibility of a health risk questionnaire administered on a touch screen laptop computer for patients attending an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service (ACCHS).

Methods

In 2012, consecutive adult patients attending an ACCHS in rural New South Wales, Australia, were asked to complete a health risk survey on a touch screen computer. Health risk factors assessed in the questionnaire included smoking status, body mass index, and level of physical activity. The questionnaire included visual cues to improve accuracy and minimise literacy barriers and was completed while participants were waiting for their appointment.

Results

A total of 188 participants completed the questionnaire, with a consent rate of 71%. The mean time taken to complete the questionnaire was less than 12 minutes. Over 90% of participants agreed that: the questionnaire instructions were easy to follow; the touch screen computer was easy to use; they had enough privacy; the questions were easy to understand; they felt comfortable answering all the questions.

Conclusions

Results indicate that the use of a touch screen questionnaire to collect information from patients about health risk factors affecting Aboriginal Australians is feasible and acceptable in the ACCHS setting. This approach has potential to improve identification and management of at-risk individuals, therein providing significant opportunities to reduce the burden of disease among Aboriginal Australians.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
A cross-sectional survey assessing the acceptability and feasibility of self-report electronic data collection about health risks from patients attending an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service
Authors
Natasha E Noble
Christine L Paul
Mariko L Carey
Robert W Sanson-Fisher
Stephen V Blunden
Jessica M Stewart
Katherine M Conigrave
Publication date
01-12-2014
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making / Issue 1/2014
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6947
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6947-14-34

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