Randomised trial of personalised computer based information for cancer patients

Objective To compare the use and effect of a computer based information sys tem for cancer patients that is personalised using each patient's medical r ecord with a system providing only general information and with information provided in booklets. Design Randomised trial with three groups. Data collected at start of radio therapy, one week later (when information provided), three weeks later, and three months later. Participants 525 patients started radical radiotherapy; 438 completed follo w up. Interventions Two groups were offered information via computer (personalise d or general information, or both) with open access to computer thereafter; the third group was offered a selection of information booklets. Outcomes Patients' views and preferences, use of computer and information, and psychological status; doctors' perceptions; cost of interventions. Results More patients offered the personalised information said that they h ad learnt something new thought the information was relevant, used the comp uter again, and showed their computer printouts to others. There were no ma jor differences in doctors' perceptions of patients. More of the general co mputer group were anxious at three months. With an electronic patient recor d system, in the long run the personalised information system would cost no more than the general system. Full access to booklets cost twice as much a s the general system. Conclusions Patients preferred computer systems that provided information f rom their medical records to systems that just provided general information . This has implications for the design and implementation of electronic pat ient record systems and reliance on general sources of patient information.