Assessing usability of electronic patient-reported outcome measures in older people with and without a rare dermatologic disorder

Abstract Background Robust and well-defined data collection is important when using electronic patient-reported outcome measures (ePROMs) in clinical studies. Questions have been raised as to whether older age may be a barrier to data collection due to patients’ unfamiliarity with electronic devices...

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Main Authors: Calvin N. Ho, Anna Kündig, Lila Bahadori, Katy Roat, Rachel Bruce, Caroline P. Goswami, Kimberly Kelly, Thomas Moll
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2024-12-01
Series:Journal of Patient-Reported Outcomes
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s41687-024-00821-w
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author Calvin N. Ho
Anna Kündig
Lila Bahadori
Katy Roat
Rachel Bruce
Caroline P. Goswami
Kimberly Kelly
Thomas Moll
author_facet Calvin N. Ho
Anna Kündig
Lila Bahadori
Katy Roat
Rachel Bruce
Caroline P. Goswami
Kimberly Kelly
Thomas Moll
author_sort Calvin N. Ho
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Robust and well-defined data collection is important when using electronic patient-reported outcome measures (ePROMs) in clinical studies. Questions have been raised as to whether older age may be a barrier to data collection due to patients’ unfamiliarity with electronic devices. Older adults may also have underlying health conditions that affect their ability to fill out patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) on electronic devices. The aim of this observational, qualitative research study was to evaluate the usability of electronic PROMs (ePROMs) on a tablet and smartphone in older participants with and without bullous pemphigoid (BP). Methods Older people with and without BP were recruited in the US and France. They participated in 60-min in-person interviews, with moderators observing their completion of various tasks, including ePROMs, using a tablet and smartphone. Participants were scored on ease of task completion using a scale from 1 to 5. Results A total of 12 participants were recruited (≥65 years old; six each with and without BP [all participants without BP were ≥75 years old]). Most participants (83%) could easily and confidently perform most assigned tasks on both the tablet and smartphone. Although select tasks required assistance, all participants were eventually able to complete all tasks. Overall, ePROM usability did not correlate with age, sex, country, or disease state. Feedback on the general usability of both electronic devices was largely positive, and most participants (n = 11; 92%) were willing to use them. Participants were generally pleased with the training modules offered on both devices, describing the training as sufficient, straightforward, and helpful. In total, 25 usability issues were identified, which fell into three categories: incomplete instructions, unclear language, and insufficient technical/visual design. Participants provided feedback on how to enhance device usability. Conclusions The results suggest that older people can confidently use a tablet or smartphone for ePROM completion, particularly with appropriate training. ePROMs should be designed with the needs of the target patient population in mind. These results can be leveraged to improve clinical data recording, optimize device usability, and enhance the user experience for older people and those with functional or physical limitations. Graphical abstract
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spelling doaj-art-65387e68e19b4ea1a385ed8b272a646e2025-08-20T01:57:09ZengSpringerOpenJournal of Patient-Reported Outcomes2509-80202024-12-018111110.1186/s41687-024-00821-wAssessing usability of electronic patient-reported outcome measures in older people with and without a rare dermatologic disorderCalvin N. Ho0Anna Kündig1Lila Bahadori2Katy Roat3Rachel Bruce4Caroline P. Goswami5Kimberly Kelly6Thomas Moll7Patient Centered Science, BioPharmaceuticals Medical, AstraZenecaPatient Centered Science, BioPharmaceuticals Medical, AstraZenecaLate-stage Respiratory and Immunology, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZenecaPatient Centered Solutions, IQVIAPatient Centered Solutions, IQVIAPatient Centered Solutions, IQVIAPatient Centered Solutions, IQVIAeCOA Science, ClarioAbstract Background Robust and well-defined data collection is important when using electronic patient-reported outcome measures (ePROMs) in clinical studies. Questions have been raised as to whether older age may be a barrier to data collection due to patients’ unfamiliarity with electronic devices. Older adults may also have underlying health conditions that affect their ability to fill out patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) on electronic devices. The aim of this observational, qualitative research study was to evaluate the usability of electronic PROMs (ePROMs) on a tablet and smartphone in older participants with and without bullous pemphigoid (BP). Methods Older people with and without BP were recruited in the US and France. They participated in 60-min in-person interviews, with moderators observing their completion of various tasks, including ePROMs, using a tablet and smartphone. Participants were scored on ease of task completion using a scale from 1 to 5. Results A total of 12 participants were recruited (≥65 years old; six each with and without BP [all participants without BP were ≥75 years old]). Most participants (83%) could easily and confidently perform most assigned tasks on both the tablet and smartphone. Although select tasks required assistance, all participants were eventually able to complete all tasks. Overall, ePROM usability did not correlate with age, sex, country, or disease state. Feedback on the general usability of both electronic devices was largely positive, and most participants (n = 11; 92%) were willing to use them. Participants were generally pleased with the training modules offered on both devices, describing the training as sufficient, straightforward, and helpful. In total, 25 usability issues were identified, which fell into three categories: incomplete instructions, unclear language, and insufficient technical/visual design. Participants provided feedback on how to enhance device usability. Conclusions The results suggest that older people can confidently use a tablet or smartphone for ePROM completion, particularly with appropriate training. ePROMs should be designed with the needs of the target patient population in mind. These results can be leveraged to improve clinical data recording, optimize device usability, and enhance the user experience for older people and those with functional or physical limitations. Graphical abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s41687-024-00821-wBullous pemphigoidData collection methodsElderlyeCOAElectronic clinical outcome assessmentOlder adults
spellingShingle Calvin N. Ho
Anna Kündig
Lila Bahadori
Katy Roat
Rachel Bruce
Caroline P. Goswami
Kimberly Kelly
Thomas Moll
Assessing usability of electronic patient-reported outcome measures in older people with and without a rare dermatologic disorder
Journal of Patient-Reported Outcomes
Bullous pemphigoid
Data collection methods
Elderly
eCOA
Electronic clinical outcome assessment
Older adults
title Assessing usability of electronic patient-reported outcome measures in older people with and without a rare dermatologic disorder
title_full Assessing usability of electronic patient-reported outcome measures in older people with and without a rare dermatologic disorder
title_fullStr Assessing usability of electronic patient-reported outcome measures in older people with and without a rare dermatologic disorder
title_full_unstemmed Assessing usability of electronic patient-reported outcome measures in older people with and without a rare dermatologic disorder
title_short Assessing usability of electronic patient-reported outcome measures in older people with and without a rare dermatologic disorder
title_sort assessing usability of electronic patient reported outcome measures in older people with and without a rare dermatologic disorder
topic Bullous pemphigoid
Data collection methods
Elderly
eCOA
Electronic clinical outcome assessment
Older adults
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s41687-024-00821-w
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