M R Welfare1, C I Price, S W Han, J R Barton. 1. University of Newcastle, Regional School of Medicine, North Tyneside General Hospital, North Shields, UK. m.r.welfare@ncl.ac.uk
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Whilst most patients are happy to participate in medical examinations, previous studies have shown that some are dissatisfied with the information that they receive beforehand. OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate that patient satisfaction can be improved by the provision of written information. METHODS: Thirty-seven patients attending the final MBBS examination were sent written information about what to expect. The patients' experiences were assessed by means of an anonymous postal questionnaire 1 week after the examination. Their satisfaction with the level of information received beforehand was compared with that of an historical cohort who had received no written information. RESULTS: The patients had few complaints about their experience of participating in examinations and many enjoyed it. Only 5% of patients registered dissatisfaction with the level of information that was provided, compared with 18% in the previous study (P = 0.077). CONCLUSIONS: Written information led to a (near significant) improvement in patients satisfaction when compared to a previous cohort. We recommend that all patients attending for medical examinations should be provided with written information.
BACKGROUND: Whilst most patients are happy to participate in medical examinations, previous studies have shown that some are dissatisfied with the information that they receive beforehand. OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate that patient satisfaction can be improved by the provision of written information. METHODS: Thirty-seven patients attending the final MBBS examination were sent written information about what to expect. The patients' experiences were assessed by means of an anonymous postal questionnaire 1 week after the examination. Their satisfaction with the level of information received beforehand was compared with that of an historical cohort who had received no written information. RESULTS: The patients had few complaints about their experience of participating in examinations and many enjoyed it. Only 5% of patients registered dissatisfaction with the level of information that was provided, compared with 18% in the previous study (P = 0.077). CONCLUSIONS: Written information led to a (near significant) improvement in patients satisfaction when compared to a previous cohort. We recommend that all patients attending for medical examinations should be provided with written information.