PATIENT PREFERENCE FOR HEALTH-STATUS SCREENING INSTRUMENTS

The Dartmouth Primary Care Cooperative Information Project (COOP) char ts and mini-Duke-UNC Health Profile (DUHP) instruments were developed to screen patients' health status in clinical settings. The purpose of this study is to determine patient preferences for use of these instr uments in a family practice setting. A sample of 203 consecutive, cons enting patients presenting to a university-based family practice clini c was administered both instruments. Patients then completed a questio nnaire which asked which instrument was preferred and why. Overall, ne ither instrument was significantly preferred by patients. Patient perc eived accuracy for the COOP was significantly positively related to ag e and negatively related to quality of life. Patient ease, rather than perceived accuracy, dominated the preference relationship, yet neithe r instrument was found to be easier to use by the elderly or those in poorer health. This study reveals that patients prefer instruments whi ch are easier to use, but that neither the COOP nor the mini-DUHP was found to be significantly easier to use by all patients. However, the COOP was perceived to be more accurate for a subset of patients, the e lderly with poor quality of life beyond the realm of health.