Test-retest reliability in a computer-based medical history.

TitleTest-retest reliability in a computer-based medical history.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2011
AuthorsSlack WV, Kowaloff HB, Davis RB, Delbanco T, Locke SE, Bleich HL
JournalJ Am Med Inform Assoc
Volume18
Issue1
Pagination73-6
Date Published2011 Jan-Feb
ISSN1527-974X
KeywordsAdult, Aged, Boston, Female, Humans, Internet, Logistic Models, Male, Medical History Taking, Middle Aged, Primary Health Care, Reproducibility of Results, Surveys and Questionnaires
Abstract

The authors developed a computer-based medical history for patients to take in their homes via the internet. The history consists of 232 'primary' questions asked of all patients, together with more than 6000 questions, explanations, and suggestions that are available for presentation as determined by a patient's responses. The purpose of this research was to measure the test-retest reliability of the 215 primary questions that have preformatted, mutually exclusive responses of 'Yes,' 'No,' 'Uncertain (Don't know, Maybe),' 'Don't understand,' and 'I'd rather not answer.' From randomly selected patients of doctors affiliated with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, 48 patients took the history twice with intervals between sessions ranging from 1 to 35 days (mean 7 days; median 5 days). High levels of test-retest reliability were found for most of the questions, but as a result of this study the authors revised five questions. They recommend that structured medical history questions that will be asked of many patients be measured for test-retest reliability before they are put into widespread clinical practice.

DOI10.1136/jamia.2010.005983
Alternate JournalJ Am Med Inform Assoc
PubMed ID21113077
PubMed Central IDPMC3005870
Grant ListR01 LM008255 / LM / NLM NIH HHS / United States
1 R01 LM008255-01A1 / LM / NLM NIH HHS / United States