Patient Satisfaction with Letter-Based Communication of LCS Pulmonary Nodule Results
Objective
To analyze patient satisfaction with letter-based communication of lung cancer screening (LCS) pulmonary nodule results.
Study Design
Prospective randomized controlled trial of LCS between May and December 2019.
Methods
All participants came from a prospective randomized controlled study on pulmonary nodule results in LCS with low-dose CT (LDCT) to analyze patient satisfaction, perception of information received via letters, preferred methods of receiving results, and dissatisfaction-related characteristics.
Results
A total of 153 patients were detected to have pulmonary nodules among 600 recruited participants in the lung cancer high-risk group screened using LDCT. Most patients were satisfied with receiving pulmonary nodule results via letters (78.4%; n = 120) and agreed that the letters contained an appropriate amount of information (83.7%; n = 128).
Conclusions
Patients were generally satisfied with receiving their LCS pulmonary nodule results via letters, reporting that the letters included adequate information about their diagnosis and follow-up steps. This may provide a basis for feasible result communication via letters for cancer screening programs in underdeveloped regions in China.
Value
This study demonstrates that letter-based communication of LCS pulmonary nodule results was well-received by patients, providing a practical solution for result communication in cancer screening programs. The findings highlight the importance of clear and informative communication for patient satisfaction and engagement.
Practical Solutions
The study suggests that utilizing letter-based communication for sharing pulmonary nodule results in LCS can be an effective and preferred method for patients. This approach may be particularly valuable in underdeveloped regions where alternative communication methods may be limited.
Clinical Trial Impact
The results of this trial emphasize the significance of patient satisfaction and effective communication in the context of cancer screening programs, offering insights for improving result communication strategies and enhancing patient experience.
