Notification of syphilis test results by telephone: acceptability ratings in a community-based sample of Scottish gay men.
Notifying patients of the results of syphilis testing by telephone can be cost-effective for clinic staff. This study compared the acceptability ratings among potential patients of three methods of learning of syphilis test results: with a call to a mobile phone; with a call to a home phone; and with the patient phoning in for results. A questionnaire was distributed to male clients of gay venues in Glasgow, Scotland, during 2005 (n = 150). Phoning in for results was rated as significantly more acceptable than either learning of results with a call to a mobile phone, or receiving a phone call at home (both P < 0.001). Further, receiving a call on a mobile phone was rated as significantly more acceptable than receiving a call at home (P < 0.001). It is recommended that patients be given the option of initiating the communication of test results.
Knussen
Christina
C
Division of Psychology, School of Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow G4 0BA, UK. c.knussen@gcal.ac.uk
Flowers
Paul
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D040421:Cell Phone; D003142:Communication; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012606:Scotland; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013587:Syphilis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013588:Syphilis Serodiagnosis; D013689:Telephone