The Acceptability of Diagnostic Tests in the United Kingdom.

PURPOSE

It is increasingly acknowledged that public acceptability should be considered when designing, evaluating, and implementing healthcare interventions; especially for vulnerable groups.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A voluntary, self-reported, anonymous questionnaire with ethical approval and patient and public involvement was distributed online through social media over a 6-month period to explore acceptability of diagnostic tests.

RESULTS

Ninety-three individuals replied to the questionnaire, of which the majority were female (89.2%) heterosexual (92.4%) white (81.6%) and resided in England (94.6%). The most encountered diagnostic test was an X-ray (92.4%) and the least encountered test was a bone marrow biopsy with local anaesthetic (0%). A sputum sample test was the most perfectly acceptable investigation (83.8%). One percent of participants felt that the cervical smear test was perfectly acceptable With reference to hysteroscopy, 44% felt a hysteroscopy was perfectly acceptable under general anaesthesia, compared to no participants with local anaesthetic or sedation. Forty one percent of participants felt a diagnostic laparoscopy was perfectly acceptable.

CONCLUSION

The findings from this study provide insight into the acceptability of medical tests from a patient perspective and will inform a more explorative qualitative study to ensure researchers are aiming to produce tests that are sensitive, specific and importantly acceptable.