‘I guess I’ll wait to hear’—communication of blood test results in primary care a qualitative study

The British journal of general practice: the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners

article

Jessica Watson¹  Chris Salisbury¹  Penny F Whiting²  William T Hamilton³  Jonathan Banks⁴ 

[1] Centre for Academic Primary Care;Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol;University of Exeter;Centre for Academic Primary Care, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol and National Institute for Health Research, Applied Research Collaboration West

关键词: blood tests;    diagnostic testing;    doctor–patient communication;    qualitative research;    patient engagement;    patient safety;   

DOI  :  10.3399/BJGP.2022.0069

学科分类：卫生学

来源: Royal College of General Practitioners

【 摘 要 】

Background Rates of blood testing in primary care are rising. Communicating blood test results generates significant workload for patients, GPs, and practice staff.Aim To explore GPs’ and patients’ experience of systems of blood test communication.Design and setting Qualitative interviews with patients and GPs in UK primary care in both urban and rural practices in the West of England.Method A total of 28 patients and 19 GPs from six practices were recruited, with a range of socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. Patients were interviewed at two time points: a) at or soon after their blood test and b) after they had received their test results. The GPs who requested the tests were also interviewed (they could complete a maximum of two interviews about different patients). Eighty qualitative interviews were undertaken; 54 patient interviews and 26 GP interviews.Results Methods of test result communication varied between doctors and were based on habits, unwritten heuristics, and personal preferences rather than protocols. Doctors expected patients to know how to access their test results. In contrast, patients were often uncertain and used guesswork to decide when and how to access their tests. Patients and doctors generally assumed that the other party would make contact, with potential implications for patient safety. Text messaging and online methods of communication have benefits, but were perceived by some patients as ‘flippant’ or ‘confusing’. Delays and difficulties obtaining and interpreting test results can lead to anxiety and frustration for patients.Conclusion Current systems of test result communication are complex and confusing, and mostly based on habits and routines rather than clear protocols. This has important implications for patient-centred care and patient safety.

【 授权许可】

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