Copying letters to patients with cystic fibrosis (CF): letter content and patient perceptions of benefit.
BACKGROUND
Copying letters involves generating an extra copy of all correspondence between healthcare professionals about the patient, to the patient.


OBJECTIVE
To determine if the letter content was meaningful to the patient and to establish patient perceptions of copying letters from outpatient clinic visits.


METHODS
To assess letter content, a copy of all outpatient clinic letters were collected during a one month period and each copy was assessed for the use of plain English using the Drivel Defence software. To establish patient perceptions, patients completed a questionnaire relating to the potential advantages and disadvantages of copying letters.


RESULTS
Eighty letters were assessed for content. 77/80 (96.3%) of the letters had > or = 50% of sentences with <20 words. The mean (SD) sentence length was 15 (3) words. Abbreviations were minimal in most letters (71/80, 89%). Most letters explained the patient's clinical status in a meaningful way (76/80, 95%). Fifty patients completed a questionnaire. The large majority (46/50, 92%) "strongly agreed" or "agreed" that they felt more involved by receiving a copy. Most patients (48/50, 96%) would rather receive a copy with 40/50 (80%) reporting advantages.


CONCLUSIONS
Copying letters is well received amongst patients with CF, with numerous advantages and few disadvantages reported.
Treacy
Katherine
K
Regional Adult CF Centre, Belfast City Hospital, Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7AB, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
Elborn
J Stuart
JS
Rendall
Jackie
J
Bradley
Judy M
JM
D000553:Ambulatory Care; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003308:Copying Processes; D015709:Correspondence as Topic; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D030881:Disclosure; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D009819:Office Visits; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D015397:Program Evaluation