Improving State-Mandated Breast Density Notifications.
J Am Coll Radiol
; 17(3): 384-390, 2020 Mar.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-31541654
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE:
Effective written communication directly affects health care outcomes. Since 2016, the complex language of state-mandated breast density notifications (BDNs) has been challenged, because it is perceived to be beyond the comprehension of most patients. The aim of this study was to assess whether a revised BDN written at a lower reading grade level improves understanding compared with the current state-mandated BDN.METHODS:
A revised notification with similar content to the current state-mandated BDN was developed. Both notifications were presented to patients for direct comparison, using a paper survey asking questions that evaluated patients' perceptions and convictions associated with breast density. Surveys were distributed at four outpatient imaging centers to screening mammography patients.RESULTS:
The current BDN's mean readability metric was 13.4, and that of the revised BDN was 6.6. Five hundred surveys were analyzed. Survey data demonstrated that 56.6% of all women perceived that dense breast tissue results indicated a "high" associated lifetime breast cancer risk from the current state-mandated BDN compared with only 2.2% with the revised notification (P < .001). Nearly all women were more likely to initiate discussions with their providers regarding their breast tissue density after reading the revised notification (96.0%) as opposed to the current state-mandated BDN (32.8%; P < .001).CONCLUSIONS:
A significant portion of women misinterpret the intended messages of the current state-mandated BDN. Thus, a revised notification at a lower reading grade level may improve understanding of breast density, leading to improved individualized breast cancer screening for women with dense breasts.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Neoplasias da Mama
/
Densidade da Mama
Tipo de estudo:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Screening_studies
Limite:
Female
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2020
Tipo de documento:
Article