BACKGROUND: Copying letters involves generating an extra copy of all correspondence between healthcare professionals about the patient, to the patient. AIMS: To determine if the letter content was meaningful to the patient and to establish patient perceptions of copying letters from outpatient clinic visits. METHODS: To assess letter content, a copy of all outpatient clinic letters were collected during a one month period and each copy was assessed for the use of plain English using the Drivel Defence software. To establish patient perceptions, patients completed a questionnaire relating to the potential advantages and disadvantages of copying letters. RESULTS: Eighty letters were assessed for content. 77/80 (96.3%) of the letters had > or = 50% of sentences with <20 words. The mean (SD) sentence length was 15 (3) words. Abbreviations were minimal in most letters (71/80, 89%). Most letters explained the patient's clinical status in a meaningful way (76/80, 95%). Fifty patients completed a questionnaire. The large majority (46/50, 92%) "strongly agreed" or "agreed" that they felt more involved by receiving a copy. Most patients (48/50, 96%) would rather receive a copy with 40/50 (80%) reporting advantages. CONCLUSION: Copying letters is well received amongst patients with CF, with numerous advantages and few disadvantages reported.
BACKGROUND: Copying letters involves generating an extra copy of all correspondence between healthcare professionals about the patient, to the patient. AIMS: To determine if the letter content was meaningful to the patient and to establish patient perceptions of copying letters from outpatient clinic visits. METHODS: To assess letter content, a copy of all outpatient clinic letters were collected during a one month period and each copy was assessed for the use of plain English using the Drivel Defence software. To establish patient perceptions, patients completed a questionnaire relating to the potential advantages and disadvantages of copying letters. RESULTS: Eighty letters were assessed for content. 77/80 (96.3%) of the letters had > or = 50% of sentences with <20 words. The mean (SD) sentence length was 15 (3) words. Abbreviations were minimal in most letters (71/80, 89%). Most letters explained the patient's clinical status in a meaningful way (76/80, 95%). Fifty patients completed a questionnaire. The large majority (46/50, 92%) "strongly agreed" or "agreed" that they felt more involved by receiving a copy. Most patients (48/50, 96%) would rather receive a copy with 40/50 (80%) reporting advantages. CONCLUSION: Copying letters is well received amongst patients with CF, with numerous advantages and few disadvantages reported.
Authors: Bianca M Augusto; Paige Lake; Courtney L Scherr; Fergus J Couch; Noralane M Lindor; Susan T Vadaparampil Journal: J Community Genet Date: 2017-11-09
Authors: Susanne B Haga; Rachel Mills; Kathryn I Pollak; Catherine Rehder; Adam H Buchanan; Isaac M Lipkus; Jennifer H Crow; Michael Datto Journal: Genome Med Date: 2014-07-31 Impact factor: 11.117