Development of computerized questionnaire system for collecting QOL information of cancer patients

我们比较和测试了常用的生活质量评估系统。EORTC QLQ-C30是最受欢迎的国际生活质量工具之一，QOL-ACD是在日本研究小组中开发的，是针对日本原始质量评估系统的。基于这两个系统，我们开发了一个新的问题，有37个问题，我们认为可以接受日本字符，并在自然日语中编写。However，QOL-ACD 2不支持在国际上有足够的有效性和可靠性，然后事实，它是另一个最常用的QOLinks，已为本研究采用。我们还开发了一个使用关系数据库软件、FileMaker Pro、个人计算机和触摸面板系统的问题数据库系统。该系统只能通过触摸屏幕来使用，因此患者可以在没有处理鼠标设备的情况下单独使用，而且他们不需要医务人员的支持。这些问题是以随机顺序来解决的，这可能是因为道德规范。因为答案是自动记录到这个数据库系统上的，我们不需要将答案写入数据库，然后我们可以节省时间，避免输入错误的风险。该系统已由志愿者患者测试和评估，并在某些方面改进。现在，我们开始在我们医院的普通护理单元使用这个问题系统，我们也开始使用这个系统来分析细胞因子水平和生活质量之间的关系，并评估TFAT （Todai功能评估工具）的有效性和可靠性，以估计生活质量。

We compared and examined QOL assessment systems commonly used. EORTC QLQ-C30 is one of the most popular international QOL instruments and QOL-ACD was developed in Japanese study group aimed for Japanese original QOLassessment system. Based on these two systems, we developed a new questionnaire with 37 questions, which is considered to suit Japanese character and to be written in natural Japanese. However, QOL-ACDis not supposed to have enough validity and reliability internationally, then FACT, which is another one of the most commonly used QOLinstruments, was adopted for this study.We also developed questionnaire database system with relational database Software, Filemaker Pro, which works on personal computer with touch panel system. This system can be used only by touching the screen, therefore patients were able to use it alone without handling mouse device and they donユt need support from medical staff. The questions are displayed in random order to avoid fixed order that may cause mannerism. Because the answers are automatically recorded to thisdatabase system, we donユt have to reenter written answers to the database, then we can save time and avoid the risk of input error. This system was tested and evaluated by volunteer patients and improved in some aspects. Now we begun to use this questionnaire system routinely at the palliative care unit in our hospital.We also use this system for analyzing the relationship between cytokine level and QOL, and for evaluating the validity and reliability of TFAT (Todai Functional Assessment Tool) which was developed originally in our department to estimate QOL objectively.