Handheld computers for survey and trial data collection in resource-poor settings : development and evaluation of PDACT, a Palm TM pilot interviewing system
Files
Date
2009
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elsevier Ireland, Shannon, County Clare, IE
Abstract
Handheld data collection is an appropriate, affordable and convenient technology for health data collection in diverse settings. Software can be developed that permits end-users with no particular computer programming skill or knowledge to develop PDA-based survey applications and structured medical record form applications. The article reviews a Personal Data Collection Toolkit (PDACT) software, developed to enable questionnaires to be compiled, completed, and evaluated, in several representative field survey settings. Compared with paper-based collection, data validation and cleaning times were reduced, and fewer errors were found. Data are compiled and available within hours of collection facilitating data quality assurance.
Description
item.page.type
Journal Article (peer-reviewed)
item.page.format
Text
Keywords
INTERVIEWS, COMPUTER PROGRAMS, SOFTWARE ENGINEERING, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, HEALTH SERVICES, HEALTH SURVEYS, HEALTH STATISTICS, MOBILE DATA COLLECTION SYSTEM, PDA STRUCTURED MEDICAL RECORD FORM