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

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.