Patient and clinician perspectives on test result communication in dermatology

To evaluate patient and clinician preferences for communicating dermatology test results (skin biopsies, swabs and blood results) with a focus on differences in preferred methods for normal and abnormal findings.

A cross-sectional study was conducted involving two anonymised surveys. A structured questionnaire was distributed to 100 consecutive dermatology outpatients attending a dermatology centre over a four-week period from May to June 2025. Concurrently, an electronic survey was distributed nationally to dermatology clinicians, including consultants and registrars (n = 25). Descriptive statistics and chi-square testing were used to analyse differences.

For abnormal results, both patients (64%) and clinicians (60%) preferred face-to-face appointments, a further 33% of patients favoured mobile contact compared with 20% of clinicians. A statistically significant difference was observed in preferences for normal result communication between patients and clinicians (χ2 = 92.6, p < 0.001) with patients preferring mobile phone contact (53%) and text message (19%) and clinicians overwhelmingly preferring postal letters (72%). 59% reported that their preference would change depending on whether the result was normal or abnormal. Speed of communication was rated "very important" by 73% of patients. Concerns about digital confidentiality were moderate, with mean ratings of 2.33 for text and 2.32 for email on a 5-point scale.

Patients favour fast, digital methods for receiving normal results, while clinicians largely continue using traditional postal communication. Greater alignment exists for abnormal result delivery. These findings support a stratified approach to result communication that balances patient preferences, clinical context and confidentiality considerations.