Health-related information provided to patients attending a private clinic for laboratory tests in Spain.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to analyze the health information received by a group of outpatients undergoing treatment and attending a private primary health care centre for blood and urine tests. METHODS: We asked patients to report on whether they had been informed about the tests, about the information received on earlier occasions concerning analysis results and their understanding of their illness and prescribed treatment. The Chi-square test was used to assess the relation between the above and the patients socio-demographic characteristics. RESULTS: Of the sample (n=309), 19.1% reported that they had not been given instructions on how to prepare themselves for the tests, 55% were unable to understand previous analytical results, 83.2% had asked for clarification and 82.5% had their doubts clarified. 41.4% did not understand what illness they had, while 32% and 17.7%, respectively, did not know how long to continue the treatment or the proper way to do so. CONCLUSION: Immigrants, the elderly and those with a low level of formal education were the worst informed and had the lowest understanding of their illness, the results of previous analyses and the prescribed treatment. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The results underline the fact that doctors should properly communicate with patients and make sure they understand.