How do (false) positively screened patients experience a screening programme for liver cirrhosis or fibrosis in Germany? A qualitative study

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore psychosocial consequences of (false) positive liver screening results and to identify influencing factors for perceived strain within a multistage screening programme for liver cirrhosis and fibrosis in Germany. METHODS: Between June 2018 and May 2019, all positively screened patients were asked to participate in the study (n = 158). N = 11 telephone interviews and n = 4 follow‐up interviews were conducted. Semi‐structured telephone interviews were carried out. The analysis followed a structuring content analysis approach. Thereby, categories were first defined deductively. Second, the categories were revised inductively based on the data. RESULTS: The main themes found regarding the consequences of the screening were categorised in emotional reactions and behavioural reactions. Few respondents described negative emotional consequences related to screening. Those seem to be mostly driven by suboptimal patient–provider communication and might be worsened when transparent information transfer fails to happen. As a result, patients sought information and support in their social environment. All patients reported positive attitudes towards liver screening. CONCLUSION: To reduce the potential occurrence of psychosocial consequences during the screening process, medical screening should be performed in the context of transparent information. Regular health communication on the side of health professionals and increasing patients' health literacy might contribute to avoiding negative emotions in line with screening. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: This study recognises the wide‐ranging patients' perspectives regarding the consequences of liver screening which should be taken into consideration when implementing a new screening programme to ensure a patient‐centred approach.