Does writing a list help cancer patients ask relevant questions?
We examined the use of written lists to give patients an opportunity to have their questions answered. Patients undergoing radical radiotherapy for cancer were given a sheet of paper with the simple prompt to write questions and give to the hospital doctor at their appointment 3 weeks later. At 3 months, patients were asked about their use and opinions of the written list. About half of the 478 patients attended with a written list. Fewer patients living in deprived areas used the list compared to more affluent areas. Doctors thought that 34% of patients would not otherwise have asked those questions and 91% of prompted discussions were a worthwhile use of time.
Department of Public Health, University of Glasgow, Scotland, UK. ray.jones@plymouth.ac.uk
Ray
R
Jones
Janne
J
Pearson
Sandra
S
McGregor
Ann
A
Barrett
W
W
Harper Gilmour
Jacqueline M
JM
Atkinson
Alison J
AJ
Cawsey
Jim
J
McEwen
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011379:Prognosis; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires