Process-Driven Data Collection with Smart Mobile Devices

Paper-based questionnaires are often used for collecting data in application domains like healthcare, psychology or education. Such paper-based approach, however, results in a massive workload for processing and analyzing the collected data. In order to relieve domain experts from these manual tasks, we propose a process-driven approach for implementing as well as running respective mobile business applications. In particular, the logic of a questionnaire is described in terms of an explicit process model. Based on this process model, in turn, multiple questionnaire instances may be created and enacted by a process engine. For this purpose, we present a generic architecture and demonstrate the development of electronic questionnaires in the context of scientific studies. Further, we discuss the major challenges and lessons learned. In this context the presented process-driven approach offers promising perspectives in respect to the development of mobile data collection applications

Are Australian general practice patients appropriately screened for colorectal cancer? A cross-sectional study.

BackgroundAustralia has one of the highest rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) in the world. Data from the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) suggests that only one third of Australians eligible for CRC screening are up-to-date with CRC screening; however screening occurring outside the program is not captured.AimsThis study examines the self-reported CRC screening practices of general practice patients, and the factors associated with being under-screened for CRC.Methods A cross-sectional study conducted in five general practice clinics in NSW from 2015-2017. Participants were aged 50–75 and at average risk of CRC. Participants reported whether they had a faecal occult blood test (FOBT) in the past two years, including the source of FOBT; and whether they had a colonoscopy in the past five years and the reason for colonoscopy.Results Forty-nine per cent of participants completed a FOBT in the past two years. Of these, 62 per cent sourced their FOBT from the NBCSP and 25 per cent from their general practitioner. Thirty-seven per cent of participants reported colonoscopy in the past five years. Of these, 29 per cent received potentially inappropriate colonoscopy. Thirty-two per cent of the samples were classified as under-screened. Older adults were less likely to be under-screened.ConclusionCRC screening rates were higher than those reported by the NBCSP, however a significant proportion of participants remain under-screened. Over one-quarter of participants reporting colonoscopy in the past five years may have undergone unnecessary colonoscopy. These findings indicate that more needs to be done at a general practice level to facilitate risk-appropriate CRC screening

QuON - A Generic Platform for the Collation and Sharing of Web Survey Data

QuON is an open-source system that allows researchers to design and conduct Web-based surveys. It was created to overcome limitations in existing survey systems, and is especially concerned with conditional branching, user and group management, and the generation of metadata to allow optional sharing and external discovery of collected survey data. This paper describes the current QuON software system, its features, and future directions