Patient participation in the cancer consultation: evaluation of a question prompt sheet.
BACKGROUND
Active participation and asking questions are important ways in which patients can ensure they understand what the doctor has said. This study evaluated a question prompt sheet designed to encourage patients to ask questions in the cancer consultation.


METHODS
Patients (n = 142) were randomised to receive (i) a question prompt sheet or (ii) a general sheet informing patients of services available through the regional Cancer Council. Recall of information was assessed in a structured interview 4-20 days after the consultation. Questionnaires to assess patient satisfaction and adjustment to cancer were sent by mail.


RESULTS
The question prompt sheet had a significant effect in one content area: prognosis. Thirty-five percent of patients who received the question handout asked questions about prognosis compared to 16% of those receiving the information handout. The prompt sheet did not increase the mean number of questions asked overall. Age, in/out-patient status, gender and involvement preference were predictive of both number and duration of patient questions.


CONCLUSIONS
A question prompt sheet has a limited but important effect on patient question asking behaviour in the cancer consultation.
Butow
P N
PN
Department of Psychiatry, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Dunn
S M
SM
Tattersall
M H
MH
Jones
Q J
QJ
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012044:Regression Analysis