Patient attitudes to receiving copies of outpatient clinic letters from the ocular oncologist to the referring ophthalmologist and GP.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate patients' views and understanding on receiving a copy of the outpatient clinic letter from the ocular oncologist to the referring ophthalmologist and GP.


METHODS
Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 52 patients attending outpatient ocular oncology follow-up clinics, in a semistructured format using a qualitative open-ended questionnaire. The clinics are held at Liverpool Ocular Oncology Centre, a tertiary specialist referral centre at St. Paul's Eye Unit in Royal Liverpool University Hospital.


RESULTS
Patients' views on receiving a copy of the outpatient letter, their understanding of the letter, and improvements suggested. A total of 58% of patients had received a letter and 97% of them said they were glad they had it. Of this group 77% had shown it to family/friend. Consistent comments included: 'help with accepting the news;' 'good to be informed and to know what to expect;' 'confirmed what was said in the consultation.' Of the patients who had not received a copy of the letter, 64% replied that they would have liked a copy. A total of 80% of patients reported that they fully understood the letter. In all, 17% wanted medical terms to be explained, when asked to suggest improvements.


CONCLUSIONS
Sending patients copies of the consultant outpatient letter seemed to be highly appreciated and a useful method of information giving regarding diagnosis and management.
Unit of Ophthalmology, Department of Medicine, University Clinical Departments, Duncan Building, Daulby Street, Liverpool, L69 3GA UK. ykrishna02@hotmail.com
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Y
Krishna
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Damato
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003142:Communication; D032882:Comprehension; D015709:Correspondence as Topic; D004739:England; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016522:Oncology Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009885:Ophthalmology; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D012017:Referral and Consultation