Marjan Kljakovic1. 1. ANU Medical School, Academic Unit of General Practice and Community Health, School of General Practice, Rural and Indigenous Health, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. marjan.kljakovic@anu.edu.au
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Patient understanding of diagnostic tests is important in general practice. This study describes how patients understand information about their tests, using blood tests as an example. METHOD: A survey of patients attending two hospital blood collection centres in Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory. RESULTS: An 89% response rate (n=135): 90% of patients understood the reasons for tests but only 19% could name them; 86% reported that their doctor explained their tests and 89% reported they understood their doctor's explanation. Doctors offered 35% of patients a copy of test results. Patients who knew their general practitioner were more aware of preparations needed for undertaking blood tests (p<0.001). Thirty-six percent would seek information from the people working at blood collection centres. DISCUSSION: Patients understood the reasons blood tests were ordered, although only a few could name them. A strong relationship was found between doctors explaining blood tests and patients understanding the reasons for tests. Nevertheless, information sharing was at a low level.
BACKGROUND:Patient understanding of diagnostic tests is important in general practice. This study describes how patients understand information about their tests, using blood tests as an example. METHOD: A survey of patients attending two hospital blood collection centres in Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory. RESULTS: An 89% response rate (n=135): 90% of patients understood the reasons for tests but only 19% could name them; 86% reported that their doctor explained their tests and 89% reported they understood their doctor's explanation. Doctors offered 35% of patients a copy of test results. Patients who knew their general practitioner were more aware of preparations needed for undertaking blood tests (p<0.001). Thirty-six percent would seek information from the people working at blood collection centres. DISCUSSION: Patients understood the reasons blood tests were ordered, although only a few could name them. A strong relationship was found between doctors explaining blood tests and patients understanding the reasons for tests. Nevertheless, information sharing was at a low level.