Patients find it valuable when doctors provide cancer patients and their families with either an audio recording or a written summary of their visit. Most read the summary or listened to the recording at least once, and they shared the records with their families
Researchers at the Cochrane Collaboration reviewed randomized studies of the effect of providing a recording or a written record of a visit to cancer patients.
While the studies were small and measured different outcomes, studies found,
- Patients listened to the tape or read the summary 60 to 100 percent of the time (measured in 12 studies).
- Across 9 studies, 42 percent to 95 percent of patients used the materials to share information with family or friends.
- In 5 of 9 studies, patients who received tapes or summaries recalled information given during their visit more accurately.
- No studies found a difference in anxiety or depression when patients were given information to take home.
- None of the studies looked at differences in survival.
Marie Pitkethly and her team concluded,
The provision of recordings or summaries of key consultations may benefit most adults with cancer. Although more research is needed to improve our understanding of these interventions, most patients find them very useful. Practitioners should consider offering people recordings or written summaries of their consultations.
SOURCE: Pitkethly et al., Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007, Issue1.
Additional information about the study is available from the Health Behavior News Service.
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