Clients' knowledge and perceptions concerning routine blood investigations taken at health centres.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore clients' knowledge and perceptions concerning routine blood investigations taken at Health Centres. The research objectives were to examine participants' reported reasons for having blood tests taken, to explore their views on the value of routine blood testing, to examine participants' knowledge on the tests ordered by the doctor and to examine their perceptions regarding the type of information given to them concerning their blood tests. A quantitative cross-sectional design was used. A convenient sample was selected which consisted of 15 participants aged between 39 and 81 years with a mean age of 54.6 years. These participants were recommended routine blood investigations after attending a consultation visit for a health check-up with the doctor at the Health Centre. A structured interview with few open-ended questions was used with participants and a 100% response rate was achieved. Raw figures were used to analyse quantitative data obtained from closed-ended questions, whilst content analysis was used for analysing open-ended questions. Findings revealed that the high value participants placed on routine blood tests may be the reason why most of the respondents requested blood tests themselves. Participants seemed to consider these tests as highly important particularly for monitoring health status, for identifying and preventing disease, for early intervention and for providing reassurance. Respondents seemed to overrate the reliability and validity of blood investigations. Furthermore, they viewed blood tests as being very important as an additional tool to the doctors' physical examination in achieving diagnosis. Participants seemed to lack the knowledge related to blood tests which were recommended to them by the doctor. In fact, findings in this study showed that communication between doctors and participants about the need for blood tests was not optimal. This may be due to insufficient time during consultation or the passive role which clients may assume when it comes to achieving information from doctors during their visits. Finally, the recommendations emerging from these findings have been proposed. These relate to practice, education, management and further research. Blood tests should be carried out after a discussion between doctor and patient which should be based on evidence based information. The general public should be educated about the importance and limitations of routine blood tests by written information through media or during clinical encounters. Further research is recommended using larger scale studies which also look at health professionals' perceptions and attitudes concerning routine blood tests.