The aim of this study was to clarify the benefit and inconvenience to cance
r patients of receiving a copy of the medical record following a visit to t
he out-patient clinic of the Department of Oncology, University Hospital of
Tromso, Norway. Between January and December 1998, after their attendance
at the clinic a printout of the record made after the consultation was mail
ed to each of 199 patients seen by the same medical oncologist. A 15-item q
uestionnaire was later mailed to 178 survivors in March 1999. The questionn
aire had items on the use made of the copy report, side effects it might ha
ve occasioned, such as anxiety, worries and fear, and patients' general opi
nion of this procedure. There were 119 responders (67%), and 93 acknowledge
d receipt of the record. Most (96%) replied that the report had been benefi
cial; 75% had shown it to family members or friends; and 27% had shown it t
o other doctors. Only 9% had taken it with them when travelling. Such side
effects as anxiety and worries were mentioned by only a few patients. Some
20% (mostly men) stated that medical terms had caused difficulties. Most pa
tients in the study group (93%) recommended that the study practice should
be introduced as standard procedure. Patients who considered receipt of the
copy report of little value experienced the highest level of anxiety. In c
onclusion, cancer patients should be offered a copy of the medical record f
ollowing an out-patient visit.