Retail venue based screening mammography: assessment of women's preferences.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to explore women's interest and preferences in undergoing screening mammography in a retail health care setting.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Self-administered surveys were distributed to 400 mammography patients in May to June 2009. All of the women who were asked were eligible for screening (age >40 years, no abnormal mammographic findings in the recent past). Three hundred eighty-six screening-eligible women filled out and returned the self-administered survey.

RESULTS

The average respondent age was 57 years. Three hundred ten of the patients (80.3%) had college or postgraduate educations. Two hundred three (52.6%) reported annual incomes >$60,000. Two hundred forty-one respondents (62.4%) had been undergoing screening mammography for >10 years, while this was the first examination for eight patients (2%). More than half of the patients (n = 215 [55.7%]) affirmed their interest in undergoing annual screening mammography in a private area within a retail shopping facility. Most preferred a pharmacy (77%) over Wal-Mart or a grocery store. Appealing factors about a retail setting were proximity to home (90%), free parking (62%), and operating hours (48.8%).

CONCLUSIONS

There is interest among women in undergoing screening mammography at retail health care clinics, preferably pharmacies. The provision of services at a convenient location can increase adherence to guidelines for screening mammography.