Hawkins C
Br Med J. 1979 Sep 15;2(6191):638-40. doi: 10.1136/bmj.2.6191.638.
Five hundred and four patients who had undergone hospital investigations were interviewed to find out how much information they had been given about the tests; their reactions before, during and after the test; and any after effects. In 74% of cases the tests had been satisfactorily explained. Patients were told more about complicated procedures such as cardiac catherisation than about routine ones such as venepuncture or barium meal examinations. The comments doctors made while performing the investigations were generally reassuring and were only rarely worrying or impatient. About half the patients suffered pain or discomfort during the test and rather more complained of after effects. Only 5% of patients said they would refuse the test again, though 36% said they would agree only reluctantly. Communication lies at the heart of the problem. Hospitals should consider issuing handouts on investigations to back up the doctor's information and to dispel myths. Staff should be more careful in concealing frightening-looking equipment, and if patients have to wait during investigations it may help reduce their anxiety if they are provided with something to occupy their time.
对504名接受过医院检查的患者进行了访谈，以了解他们得到了多少关于检查的信息；他们在检查前、检查期间和检查后的反应；以及任何后遗症。在74%的病例中，检查得到了令人满意的解释。与静脉穿刺或钡餐检查等常规检查相比，患者对诸如心导管插入术等复杂程序了解得更多。医生在进行检查时的评论通常让人安心，很少让人担心或不耐烦。大约一半的患者在检查期间感到疼痛或不适，更多的人抱怨有后遗症。只有5%的患者表示他们会再次拒绝检查，不过36%的患者表示他们只会勉强同意。沟通是问题的核心。医院应该考虑发放关于检查的宣传资料，以支持医生提供的信息并消除误解。工作人员在隐藏看起来吓人的设备时应该更加小心，如果患者在检查期间需要等待，给他们提供一些事情来打发时间可能有助于减轻他们的焦虑。
