Factors influencing the use of computer technology in the collection of clinical data in a predominantly African-American population.

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVES:
To determine the cognitive and demographic factors that affect the performance of a predominantly African-American population in the use of a computerized version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D).

DESIGN:
Cross-sectional.

SETTING:
University Medical Center and Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland.

PARTICIPANTS:
Forty-three healthy community-dwelling adults from a predominantly African-American Apostolic church; mean age +/- standard deviation 57 +/- 14 (range 29-83).

MEASUREMENTS:
Cognitive measurements (Mini-Mental State Examination, digits span, word list learning, letter number sequencing, executive interview, and clock-drawing task), education level, computer experience, and age. The CES-D was administered on three occasions:
a paper form CES-D once and a computerized version twice. Time to completion the computer CES-D (Time 1), differential in time to completion of both computer tests (delta-time) and scores of the CES-D with both forms of administration were recorded.

RESULTS:
There was no difference between the scores from the paper and the computer CES-D or between the two computer forms. Computer experience predicted Time 1 (partial correlation R = 15%, P =.017) and delta-time (partial correlation R = 10%, P =.048). Age, education, and cognitive function did not affect performance.

CONCLUSION:
Computerized assessment techniques are valid and unaffected by age, education level, or cognitive factors in healthy individuals.

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Author information

Author/s: Izquierdo-Porrera, Anna Maria (AM); Manchanda, Roopak (R); Powell, Claudia C (CC); Sorkin, John D (JD); Bradham, Douglas D (DD);

Affiliation: Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA.

Grants: K01-AG00657 (Agency:United States NIA) ; P60-AG12583 (Agency:United States NIA)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Clinical Trial; Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

Journal: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (J Am Geriatr Soc), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2002-Aug; vol 50 (issue 8) : pp 1411-5

Dates: Created 2002/08/07; Completed 2002/09/26; Revised 2008/03/10;

PMID: 12164999, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

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