Abstract
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.
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.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 776-789 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| Journal | Health Expectations |
| Volume | 24 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jun 2021 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- attitude to health
- consumer health information
- health communication
- health literacy
- patient education as topic