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RESEARCH: Keith J Petrie, Jan Tobias Müller, Frederike Schirmbeck, Liesje Donkin, Elizabeth Broadbent, Christopher J Ellis, Greg Gamble, and Winfried Rief Effect of providing information about normal test results on patients' reassurance: randomised controlled trial BMJ 2007; 334: 352 [Abstract] [Full text]

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Should the value of written information be explored further?

Satyamurthy Anuradha, Herston QLD 4006   (20 February 2007)

Should the value of written information be explored further? 20 February 2007
Satyamurthy Anuradha, Lecturer in Clinical Epidemiology University of Queensland, Herston QLD 4006 Send response to journal: Re: Should the value of written information be explored further?	Dear Editor, I read with interest the research article by Petrie et al.1 on the level of reassurance achieved in patients who were provided information about normal test results. The use of both verbal and written health information when communicating about care issues with patients or carers on discharge from hospital to home appears to improve knowledge and satisfaction.2 Petrie and colleagues have undertaken a methodologically sound study to look at the effect of telling patients the normal test results before they undergo a diagnostic test. The fact that the discussion group excelled in the quality and quantity of reassurance that it provided to patients as exemplified in the follow-up telephone interview as well comes as no surprise. The group that had the pamphlet given to them to read before the stress test (pamphlet group) did poorly in the level of reassurance that it provided to patients but fared well in the follow-up telephone interview. The pamphlet has been produced with commendable precision by the authors (link provided in the article) and it is disheartening to see that it relieved patient’s anxiety no better than the controls (both were not statistically significant compared to the discussion group). Is there any relationship between the result in the pamphlet group and the time at which it was given to patients? Would the posting of the pamphlets to the patients along with their clinic appointment given them more time to read and digest the information better thereby decreasing their anxiety levels? Stressful events produce less distress for people who have social support than those who do not.3 It cannot be denied that provision of information before a test ideally has to be tailored to individual patient needs and personalities. However the opportunity to read the information in the pamphlet at leisure and/or discuss with family members may prove an effective way of reassuring patients about a normal test result. The cost- effectiveness of this method if proven as effective, if not more, than the discussion method needs no mention. References. 1 Petrie KJ, Muller JT, Schirmbeck F, Donkin L, Broadbent E, Ellis CJ et al Effect of providing information about normal test results on patients' reassurance: randomised controlled trial. BMJ 2007;334:352 (February 17) doi:10.1136/bmj.39093.464190.55 2 Johnson A, Sandford J, Tyndall J. Written and verbal information versus verbal information only for patients being discharged from acute hospital settings to home. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2003, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD003716. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003716. 3 Eberhardt J, van Wersch A, van Schaik P, Cann P. Information, social support and anxiety before gastrointestinal endoscopy. Br J Health Psychol 2006 Nov;11(Pt 4):551-9. Competing interests: None declared