Digital audio recordings improve the outcomes of patient consultations: A randomised cluster trial.
To investigate the effects on patients' outcome of the consultations when provided with: a Digital Audio Recording (DAR) of the consultation and a Question Prompt List (QPL).



This is a three-armed randomised controlled cluster trial. One group of patients received standard care, while the other two groups received either the QPL in combination with a recording of their consultation or only the recording. Patients from four outpatient clinics participated: Paediatric, Orthopaedic, Internal Medicine, and Urology. The effects were evaluated by patient-administered questionnaires.



A total of 4349 patients participated in the study. DAR significantly increased the probability of fulfilling the participants' self-perceived information needs by 4.1% to 6.3%, particularly with regard to test results (OR=1.41, 95%CI: 1.14-1.74, p=0.001) and treatment options (OR=1.39, 95%CI: 1.13-1.71, p=0.002). Additionally, the interventions positively influenced the participants' satisfaction with the treatment, their relationship with the health professional, and their experience of being involved in the decision-making.



Providing outpatients with a QPL and DAR of their consultation positively influences the patients' perception of having adequate information after the consultation.



The implementation of a QPL and audio recording of consultations should be considered in routine practice.
Health Services Research Unit, Lillebaelt Hospital, Vejle, Denmark; Institute of Regional Health Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark. Electronic address: Maiken.Wolderslund@rsyd.dk.
Maiken
M
Wolderslund
Institute of Regional Health Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Department of Paediatrics, Lillebaelt Hospital, Kolding, Denmark. Electronic address: Poul.Erik.Kofoed@rsyd.dk.
Poul-Erik
PE
Kofoed
Institute of Regional Health Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark. Electronic address: rholst@health.sdu.dk.
René
R
Holst
Health Services Research Unit, Lillebaelt Hospital, Vejle, Denmark. Electronic address: mette@axboe.dk.
Mette
M
Axboe
Health Services Research Unit, Lillebaelt Hospital, Vejle, Denmark; Institute of Regional Health Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark. Electronic address: Jette.Ammentorp@rsyd.dk.
Jette
J
Ammentorp
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D003142:Communication; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010358:Patient Participation; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D058996:Quality Improvement; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013637:Tape Recording
Consultation recordings; Digital audio recording; Health communication; Information level; Outpatients; Patient communication aids; Question prompt list