Audiotapes and letters to patients: the practice and views of oncologists,surgeons and general practitioners

A range of measures have been proposed to enhance the provision of informat ion to cancer patients and randomized controlled trials have demonstrated t heir impact on patient satisfaction and recall. The current study explored the practice and views of oncologists, surgeons and general practitioners ( GPs) with regards to providing patients with consultation audiotapes and su mmary letters. In stage 1, 28 semi-structured interviews with doctors were conducted to provide qualitative data on which to base a questionnaire. In stage 2, 113 medical oncologists, 43 radiation oncologists, 55 surgeons and 108 GPs completed questionnaires. Only one-third of doctors had ever provi ded patients with a copy of the letter written to the oncologist or referri ng doctor, and one-quarter had provided a summary letter or tape, The major ity of doctors were opposed to such measures; however, a substantial minori ty were in favour of providing a letter or tape under certain conditions, M ore surgeons and GPs (> two-thirds) were opposed to specialists providing a consultation audiotape than oncologists (one-third). Gender, years of expe rience and attitude to patient involvement in decision-making were predicti ve of doctors' attitudes, The majority of doctors remain opposed to offerin g patients personalized information aids. However, practice and perspective s appear to be changing.