Desktop Versus Mobile Data Collection in Clinical Trial

Paper-based data collection for prospective clinical trials is associated with a poor quality of data collection. This typically involves missing or wrong data entry or a low recruitment rate, mainly due to the cumbersome and uncontrolled data collection. Electronic data collection is associated with improved quality of data entry in the cases of Electronic Patient Records (EPR) and patient handover among doctors during night and day shifts. However, a comprehensive direct comparison between web-based desktop personal computer (PC) and mobile (e.g. iPad) data collection has not yet been reported. The purpose of this prospective trial is to compare the users' experience with the web-based desktop PC and mobile data collection (iPad) tools.