Recommendations for care related to follow-up of abnormal cancer screening tests: accuracy of patient report.
When using patient self-report of processes of care as part of measuring quality performance, validity and reliability are important considerations. In this study, the congruence of patient report of recommendations of screening follow-up care was compared with record audit data. Survey data were collected from a random sample of patients with abnormal breast (n = 230) or cervical (n = 219) cancer screening tests from four health centers. With patient consent, record audits were conducted to validate self-report. Measures of congruence for recommendations for follow-up were calculated along with sensitivity and specificity for procedure-specific recommendations. Overall congruence was higher in the mammography sample (81%) as compared to the Pap sample (61%). Predictors of overall congruence for the abnormal Pap test sample included health plan, self-reported health status, and test result. There were no significant predictors of congruence for the abnormal mammogram test sample from the potential variables collected. Raw agreement rates support using patient self-report in assessing abnormal test follow-up recommendations.
Puleo
Elaine
E
University of Massachusetts, School of Public Health, USA.
Zapka
Jane G
JG
Goins
Karin Valentine
KV
Yood
Marianne Ulcickas
MU
Mouchawar
Judy
J
Manos
Michele
M
Somkin
Carol
C
Taplin
Stephen
S
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D003142:Communication; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006279:Health Maintenance Organizations; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016015:Logistic Models; D008327:Mammography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D013997:Time Factors; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*