Breast Core Biopsy Information and Consent: Do we Prepare or do we Scare?

Area of Science:

• Medical Ethics
• Patient Experience
• Surgical Procedures

Background:

• Informed consent is crucial for invasive procedures, but concerns exist that detailed information may increase patient anxiety.
• Anecdotal evidence suggests that pre-procedure information could negatively impact patient experience.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate if providing detailed information about breast biopsy before an appointment negatively impacts patient experiences.
• To assess the effect of pre-appointment written information on patient anxiety and satisfaction.

Main Methods:

• Phase 1: Surveyed patients (group A) receiving standard appointment letters for core biopsy.
• Phase 2: Surveyed patients receiving standard letters plus biopsy leaflets (group B: core biopsy; group C: no biopsy).
• Analysis included descriptive statistics and qualitative thematic analysis.

Main Results:

• 100% of group A felt adequately informed; 72% felt pre-clinic reading material would not be helpful.
• 100% of group B and 94.1% of group C found receiving information with their letter helpful.
• Key themes included good service, verbal explanations, and appreciation for written materials.

Conclusions:

• Providing detailed breast biopsy information with appointment letters does not heighten patient anxiety.
• Most patients find pre-appointment written information beneficial, regardless of whether they undergo the biopsy.
• This approach enhances patient experience without negative clinical outcomes.