AUDIT OF PATIENTS EXPERIENCES AFTER ENDOSCOPY OF THE UPPER ALIMENTARY-TRACT

This study comprises an audit of the experiences of upper alimentary e ndoscopy by 400 patients examined in 15 hospitals. The patients were a sked to complete a 19-section questionnaire regarding their experience of the endoscopy before, during and after the procedure. The audit wa s carried out in order to evaluate the patients' understanding of the investigation and to determine the impact of the findings on the patie nts' level of anxiety. Of the 400 patients, 304 (76.0%) returned the q uestionnaire; overall satisfaction was revealed with the decision to p roceed with endoscopy and with the procedure itself, as well as the re assurance provided by the investigation. The study thus supports the r ole of open-access endoscopy.