119 patients were surveyed between November 2020 and April 2021. 52% were male (Fig. 1B). Median age was 60 years (range 20–84 years). 82% had a smartphone capable of utilizing a QR code, a trend which will likely only increase with time. Overall, 67% felt comfortable with the technology once they had used the QR poster and 54% expressed a preference for QR code-mediated information acquisition over a printed copy (Fig. 1C–E). Smartphone ownership, confidence with the technology and preference of QR over paper PIL acquisition were all significantly associated with younger age (p = 0.013, p < 0.0001, and p = 0.039 respectively, Mann–Whitney tests, Fig. 1C–E). Current smartphone users will age which is likely to mitigate the observed lower acceptability in the over 70 years age groups in the future.

Feedback from patients helped us to evaluate the advantages and limitations of the QR code based distribution of patient information. Several liked the fact that they were able to adjust the font size and brightness of the QR-linked PIL on their smartphone and could send the document to other devices or to relatives. The majority who trialed the QR poster were satisfied and did not wish to take a printed copy.

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