Opt‐in or opt‐out health‐care communication? A cross‐sectional study

BACKGROUND: Patients need medication and medical condition‐related information to better self‐manage their health. Health‐care professionals (HCPs) should be able to actively provide information outside of one‐on‐one consultations; however, patient consent may be required. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the Australian public's preferences, and factors that may influence their preferences, towards an opt‐in versus an opt‐out approach to health communication. DESIGN: A cross‐sectional study using a structured questionnaire administered via Computer‐Assisted Telephone Interviewing. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Participants across Australia who were adults, English‐speaking and had a long‐term medical condition. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Preferences for opt‐in vs opt‐out approach to receiving follow‐up tailored information. RESULTS: A total of 8683 calls were made to achieve the required sample size of 589 completed surveys. Many (346/589; 58.7%) indicated that they were interested in receiving tailored, ongoing follow‐up information from their HCP. Nearly half (n = 281; 47.7%) preferred an opt‐in service and 293/589 (49.7%) an opt‐out service for receiving follow‐up information. Reasons for preferring an opt‐in service were being in control of the information received (n = 254); able to make a decision that is best for them (n = 245); opt‐in service would save time for HCPs (n = 217); they may not want or need the information (n = 240). Many (n = 255) felt that an opt‐out service should be part of the normal duty of care of their HCP and believed (n = 267) that this approach would ensure that everyone has access to information. CONCLUSIONS: Respondents were interested in receiving tailored information outside of consultation times. However, preferences for an opt‐in or opt‐out approach were divided.