Editor—Chantler and Johnson proposed action research on the proposal to send patients copies of clinical correspondence, and Essex discussed the issue of copying letters to patients in the patient issue.1,2
Since April 2002 we have offered all patients the option of receiving copies of letters to their general practitioner from a chest and cardiology clinic. Of 1717 monitored consultations, 1504 patients (87.6%) wanted copy letters. This rate has increased to above 90% and stabilised. There was no difference between the choices of new patients or patients being followed up or between general clinics and a designated lung cancer clinic.
Altogether 63 patients who had received copy letters completed a questionnaire; 62 had read the letter and only two were dissatisfied with the content. A total of 59 patients (94%) would wish to receive further letters. Patients found that the letters helped them understand their diagnosis and treatment and to communicate with their doctors.
No patient was offended by any letter, but two patients were confused by the content. Altogether 14 patients were a little worried by the content, but only one patient was very worried. Two patients reported wrong information about their illness (none major) and one patient reported errors in the drug list.
Some of the clinicians now dictate the letters while the patient is present to further reduce these errors.
We agree with Chantler and Johnson that most patients (even those with cancer) wish to receive copy letters and most patients find them useful. However, it is essential to offer patients a choice in this matter because some patients do not wish to receive copy letters.
The following medical staff also contributed to the design of this project: Simon Taggart, consultant respiratory physician; Paul Sullivan, consultant respiratory physician; Murad Ghrew, consultant physician; Anne Cooper, consultant cardiologist; Peter C Barnes, consultant cardiologist and executive medical director.
Competing interests: None declared.
References
- 1.Chantler C, Johnson J. Patients should receive copies of letters and summaries. BMJ 2002;325: 388. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 2.Essex C. Copying letters to patients is coming to a clinic near you. BMJ 2003;326: 1330-1. (14 June.) [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]