
Embracing Digital Transformation: BYOD in PROM Collection
Introduction:
Modern healthcare seeks ways to enhance patient experience and data collection efficiency. One such method under scrutiny is the transition of Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) from paper to electronic platforms. This study dives into the measurement equivalence of PROMs using various response scales on traditional paper, a patient’s personal device (BYOD), and a device provided at the study site.
Study Objectives:
- Gauge the measurement equivalence across different response scale types (visual analogue scale, numeric rating scale, verbal response scale, and Likert scale).
- Compare data collection methods: paper, BYOD, and site-provided device.
- Understand patient preferences and attitudes towards using their own device in clinical trials.
Methodology:
Patients with chronic health conditions leading to daily pain/discomfort participated in a single-site, single-visit, three-way crossover study. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) evaluated the association between individual item and instrument subscale scores. Additionally, a questionnaire was used to gauge participant attitudes towards BYOD in clinical settings.
Key Findings:
- Demographics: 155 subjects, aged between 19 and 69, took part. The mean age was 48.6 with a standard deviation of 13.1, with a near equal gender distribution.
- High Equivalence across Platforms: ICCs ranging from 0.79 to 0.98 confirmed a significant association across paper, BYOD, and site device modes of administration for various response scales.
- BYOD Preference: An overwhelming 94% of subjects were open to using an app on their personal device for future trials. Almost half (45%) felt BYOD was more convenient than a provisioned device, with only 15% preferring the latter.
Conclusion:
The study affirms the effectiveness and acceptability of BYOD for collecting PROMs. Not only is there a preservation of measurement equivalence across popular response scales, but patients also widely accept this digital approach, pointing towards a promising future for ePRO collection.