Internet-based multi-institutional clinical research: A new method to conduct and manage quality of life studies

Abstract

Assessment of outcomes after craniofacial surgery for skull base tumors poses unique challenges because of the rarity of the problem and heterogeneity in clinical behavior of these tumors. Collaborative studies of outcome provide an opportunity for meaningful analysis of not just tumor-related outcome, but also quality of life after treatment in these patients. This article introduces the use of a Web-based data collection method that can function as a collaborative registry and a tool for collection of quality of life data. © 2010 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.