Aim
Our objectives were to describe the approach used in the
National Dental Practice‐Based Research Network to capture
patient‐reported outcomes and to compare electronic and paper modes of
data capture in a specific network study.
Methods
This was a prospective, multicenter cohort study of 1862
patients with dentin hypersensitivity. Patient‐reported outcomes were
assessed based on patients’ perception of pain using Visual Analog
Scales and Labeled Magnitude scales at baseline and at 1, 4 and 8 weeks
post‐baseline.
Results
Eighty‐five percent of study patients chose to complete
follow‐up assessments via an electronic mode; 15% completed them via a
paper mode. There was not a significant difference in the proportions of
patients who completed the 8‐week assessment when comparing the
electronic mode to the paper mode (92% vs. 90.8%, P = 0.31, Rao‐Scott clustered χ2‐test).
Conclusion
The electronic mode of data capture was as operational as
the traditional paper mode, while also providing the advantage of
eliminating data entry errors, not involving site research coordinators
in measuring the patient‐reported outcomes, and not incurring cost and
potential delays due to mailing study forms. Electronic data capture of
patient reported outcomes could be successfully implemented in the
community dental practice setting.
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