Collecting cancer risk factor data from hospital outpatients: Use of touch-screen computers

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of selected cancer risk factor data from hospital outpatients and the proportion of "at risk" patie nts who would like help from hospital staff to reduce risk factors. A touch -screen computer collected data from outpatients in Newcastle, NSW. Austral ia. Eight hundred and nineteen outpatients completed the computerized inter view. Of these, 35% were smokers, of whom 25% said that they would like hel p to stop smoking; 47% were overweight, with 48% indicating that they wante d assistance; 17% consumed harmful levels of alcohol, with 2% wanting help; 30% of eligible women were overdue for a Pap test, of whom 75% said that t hey wanted a referral to be screened, and 25% were overdue for a mammogram, of whom 83% said that they would like a referral for an examination. Touch -screen computerized health risk assessments are practical for collecting a nd monitoring valid cancer risk factor data for hospital outpatients.