Consumer information materials for diagnostic breast tests: women's views on information and their understanding of test results.
OBJECTIVE
To explore women's views on diagnostic breast test information and elicit their preferences for this information.


METHODS
In-depth, face-to-face interview.


METHODS
Thirty-seven women who had previously participated in a population-based telephone survey.


METHODS
Qualitative thematic analysis.


RESULTS
Analysis of interview transcripts revealed information about: (1) the wide range of information participants wanted about diagnostic mammography; (2) general reactions to diagnostic breast test information, including positive and negative reactions, views of test accuracy information and perceived influences on information preferences; (3) preferences for information content and presentation including the need for written information, the meaning of statistical information, different views on a simple presentation style, and variation in preferences; and (4) women's understanding of diagnostic test results.


CONCLUSIONS
Women want a range of information about diagnostic mammography, which is relevant at different times in the decision-making and testing process. Many women have difficulty interpreting test results.
Davey
Heather M
HM
Research Assistant, Screening and Test Evaluation Program, School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. daveyh@health.usyd.edu.au
Lim
Jacqueline
J
Butow
Phyllis N
PN
Barratt
Alexandra L
AL
Houssami
Nehmat
N
Higginson
Roberta
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013664:Teaching Materials