A comparison of tablet-based and paper-based venous insufficiency epidemiologic and economic study quality of life/symptom questionnaire for assessment of chronic venous disease

Abstract

Objective To comparatively evaluate performances of tablet-based versus paper-based Venous Insufficiency Epidemiologic and Economic Study-Quality of Life/Symptom (VEINES-QOL/Sym) questionnaire. Methods We prospectively evaluated 78 consecutive patients who completed tablet-based and paper-based VEINES-QOL/Sym questionnaires and compared their scores, completion time, data entry time, and ease of use. We used Student’s t-test and Wilcoxon test for quantitative variables, Bland–Altman test and kappa coefficient for agreement between questionnaires and patients, respectively. Spearman’s correlation coefficient was used to assess correlations. Results Most participants (83.3%) found it easier to use the tablet device. Less time was needed to complete the tablet-based (median, 4.75; IQR, 3–7 min) than the paper-based (median, 8.3; IQR, 6.3–11.3 min) questionnaire ( p < .001). Better educated patients took less time to complete paper-based ( p = .003) and tablet-based ( p = .001) questionnaires and considered the latter easier to use ( p = .010). Conclusions The tablet-based VEINES-QOL/Sym proved to be an easy-to-use and time-saving tool.