A group led by third-year medical student Jay Pham of Virginia Commonwealth University surveyed 2,245 patients between September and November 2017 on their preferences and expectations for receiving mammography results. In particular, they asked about the wait time for screening results and time frame for additional imaging scheduling if the exam results were abnormal.
The majority (85.4%) of survey participants wanted to receive their results on a Friday, and they preferred to schedule follow-up appointments for the next day. More than half said they wanted to be contacted by phone; email was the least preferred method.
"The strong preference of patients receiving their screening mammogram results more promptly should help trigger alternative methods toward improving communication between the radiologist and the patient," Pham and colleagues concluded.
