Nivel de cumplimiento vía telemática de cuestionarios relacionados con la calidad de vida en artroplastia total de rodilla / Level of response to telematic questionnaires on health related quality of life on total knee replacement

Objetivo. La realización y obtención de cuestionarios de calidad de vida relacionada con la salud por el paciente y el profesional es complicada. Actualmente, disponemos de herramientas informáticas para recoger esta información. Nuestro objetivo fue evaluar la capacidad de los pacientes intervenidos de prótesis total de rodilla para rellenar cuestionarios de calidad de vida relacionada con la salud, utilizando una plataforma telemática. Material y métodos. Fueron incluidos 98 pacientes consecutivos intervenidos de artroplastia total de rodilla. A los que aceptaron participar en el estudio se les solicitó responder, en una página web, a 2 cuestionarios de calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (SF8 y WOMAC reducido) y 3 preguntas adicionales de opinión sobre dichos cuestionarios. Resultados. Noventa y ocho pacientes (45 hombres y 53 mujeres), con una media de edad de 72,7 años. Catorce no aceptaron participar por no disponer de acceso a Internet. De los 84 pacientes que aceptaron, el 50% entró en la página web, de los cuales solamente 36 contestaron correctamente a todas las preguntas. De estos, el 80% fue ayudado por un familiar o amigo y el 22% refirió dificultades para acceder a Internet. Conclusión. La utilización de sistemas telemáticos para responder a cuestionarios de calidad de vida debe ser usada de forma cautelosa, especialmente en población de edad avanzada. Probablemente, la población a la que va dirigida no está preparada para utilizar este tipo de tecnología. Por ello, antes de diseñar cuestionarios telemáticos debemos asegurarnos de si serán debidamente cumplimentados (AU)

Questionnaires measuring health-related quality of life are difficult to perform and obtain for patients and professionals. Computerised tools are now available to collect this information. The objective of this study was to assess the ability of patients undergoing total knee replacement to fill in health-related quality-of-life questionnaires using a telematic platform. Material and methods. Ninety eight consecutive patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty were included. Participants were given an access code to enter the website where they had to respond to 2 questionnaires (SF8 and the reduced WOMAC), and 3 additional questions about the difficulty in completing the questionnaires. Results. A total of 98 patients agreed to participate: 45 males and 53 females (mean age 72.7 years). Fourteen did not agree to participate due to lack of internet access. Of the final 84 participants, 50% entered the website, and only 36 answered all questions correctly. Of the patients who answered the questionnaire, 80% were helped by a relative or friend, and 22% reported difficulty accessing internet. Conclusion. The use of telematic systems to respond to health-related quality of life questionnaires should be used cautiously, especially in elderly population. It is likely that the population they are directed at is not prepared to use this type of technology. Therefore, before designing telematics questionnaires it must be ensured that they are completed properly (AU)

Level of response to telematic questionnaires on Health Related Quality of Life on total knee replacement.

UNLABELLED: Questionnaires measuring health-related quality of life are difficult to perform and obtain for patients and professionals. Computerised tools are now available to collect this information. The objective of this study was to assess the ability of patients undergoing total knee replacement to fill in health-related quality-of-life questionnaires using a telematic platform. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ninety eight consecutive patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty were included. Participants were given an access code to enter the website where they had to respond to 2 questionnaires (SF8 and the reduced WOMAC), and 3 additional questions about the difficulty in completing the questionnaires. RESULTS: A total of 98 patients agreed to participate: 45 males and 53 females (mean age 72.7 years). Fourteen did not agree to participate due to lack of internet access. Of the final 84 participants, 50% entered the website, and only 36 answered all questions correctly. Of the patients who answered the questionnaire, 80% were helped by a relative or friend, and 22% reported difficulty accessing internet. CONCLUSION: The use of telematic systems to respond to health-related quality of life questionnaires should be used cautiously, especially in elderly population. It is likely that the population they are directed at is not prepared to use this type of technology. Therefore, before designing telematics questionnaires it must be ensured that they are completed properly.