Does the delivery of diagnostic news affect the likelihood of whether or not patients ask questions about the results? A conversation analytical study

BACKGROUND: Asymmetries in knowledge and competence in the medical encounter often mean that doctor‐patient communication can be compromised. This study explores this issue and examines whether the likelihood of patient question asking is increased following the delivery of diagnostic test results. It also examines whether that likelihood is related to the way in which the test results are delivered. OBJECTIVE: To examine when and how patients initiate questions following diagnostic news announcements. METHODS: We audio‐recorded oncology consultations (n = 47) consisting of both first consultations and follow‐up consultations with patients with different types of cancer, at a leading UK teaching hospital. From the primary sample, we identified 30 consultations based on a basic count of the frequency of patient questions and their positioning in relation to diagnostic announcements. This subset of 30 consultations consisted of a mix of first and follow‐up consultations. RESULTS: Our data demonstrate how the design and delivery of diagnostic news announcements can either discourage or provide the opportunity for a patient‐initiated question in the next turn of talk. We identified two types of announcement. Q+ generally provided for a patient‐initiated question as a relevant next turn following the news announcement, whereas Q− did not. Q+ was sometimes followed up with the explanation of test results, which appeared to encourage further patient questions. CONCLUSION: The design and delivery of diagnostic news announcements can make a patient‐initiated question more or less appropriate, in the next turn of talk. In addition, showing and explaining test results can encourage further opportunities for patients’ questions.