Parents and primary care physicians have different views about copying medical letters to parents after paediatric outpatient visits. (15th August 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cachat, Francois; Marques‐Vidal, Pedro; Girardin, Eric; Chehade, Hassib; Piot‐Ziegler, Chantal
• Is Part Of: Acta pædiatrica. Volume 103:Number 10(2014:Oct.)
• Page Start: e459
• Page End: e464
• Publication Date: 2014-08-15
• Subjects: Pediatrics -- Periodicals; Pediatrics; 618.92
• DOI: 10.1111/apa.12725
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0803-5253

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="apa12725-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="apa12725-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Aim</title> <p>We assessed how satisfied parents were when they received a copy of the letter sent to their primary care physician after their child attended a hospital outpatient clinic and compared their views with those of the primary care physician.</p> </sec> <sec id="apa12725-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Anonymised questionnaires were sent to parents, and their primary care physician, after their child had visited a paediatric nephrology unit.</p> </sec> <sec id="apa12725-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>We received responses from 112 parents (46%) and 69 primary care physicians (93%). Most parents (97%) were satisfied with the process, 94% thought that the letter was a true reflection of the outpatient consultation and easy to understand, and 55% read it to their child. However, 21% would have preferred a simpler letter. More than a third (37%) of the primary care physicians did not approve of the parents being sent the letter, and 30% felt that the letter was difficult for the parents to understand and should be replaced with a simpler letter.</p> </sec> <sec id="apa12725-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>Most parents (97%) appreciated receiving a copy of the letter following their child's outpatient clinic visit, and 95% understood its contents. More than half (55%) read the letter to their child. However, 37% of primary care physicians did not approve of the practice.</p> </sec> </abstract>