The patient experience questionnaire (PEQ) emphasizes what patients value the most, i.e. interaction, emotions and outcome, and may represent a valuable tool for doctors who want feedback from their patients on the function of their doctor-patient relationships.

The objective of the research was to construct a brief coping questionnaire designed to assess the approach-avoidance dichotomy. A 20-item questionnaire was designed and tested in samples of 206 students and 93 patients. Based on empirical analyses and interviews with patients, 12 items were chosen for the nal scale, which was named the Brief Approach/Avoidance Coping Questionnaire (BACQ). BACQ was then tested in a clinical sample of 299 primary care patients. A Cronbach's alpha of 0.68 was found in a primary care sample. In testing concurrent validity, BACQ indexes correlated signi cantly with relevant COPE sub-scales in a 0.34 to 0.57 range. A factor structure based on a two-factor solution gave one bipolar factor, ranging from active approach to resignation and withdrawal, and a second factor with items indicating diversion. In conclusion, the 12-item BACQ is a brief measure of coping strategies with satisfactory psychometric properties. The instrument is designed to measure a general concept of approach versus avoidance oriented coping, but the ndings also point to two sub-dimensions of avoidant coping, resignation/withdrawal and diversion.

Objective-To investigate how departmental practice and women's characteristics are related to low patient satisfaction with mammography. Design-Survey of patients by means of self administered questionnaires before and after mammography. Patients-488 women (89% of those invited), aged 23-86 years, at six departments. Main outcome measures-Low level of satisfaction measured on psychometric scales of physical pain, psychological distress, staV punctuality and technical skills, information provided, and physical surroundings. Results-Satisfaction varied by department on the scales for pain, punctuality, information, and surroundings. After adjustment for women's characteristics an attributable risk of negative outcome by department was identified on the scales for pain, distress, punctuality, information, and surroundings. Adjusted odds ratio (ORs) ranged from 0.3 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.2 to 6.0) on the pain scale, to 6.0 (2.9 to 12.3) on the punctuality scale. After adjustment for confounding variables, higher risk of dissatisfaction was associated with age <50, nervousness about mammography, expected pain, lack of knowledge about mammography, and distrust in mammography (adjusted OR (95% CI) ranged from 1.6 (1.0 to 2.7) to 3.7 (2.0 to 7.3)). Conclusion-Departmental practices differed for breast compression, information, punctuality, and facilities and were associated with a low level of satisfaction irrespective of patient characteristics. Women's lack of knowledge about mammography and distrust in the procedure were confirmed as risk factors for dissatisfaction. All these factors might be helped by training the staV, improving facilities, and informing the women.

Predictors of the radiologic detection of colorectal polyps or cancer were studied in 1852 patients referred from primary health care for a double-contrast barium enema. Significant polyp predictors were age 40-79 years (odds ratio (OR), 2.4-5.0) and rectal bleeding (OR, 1.8). Previous colorectal neoplasm, familial history of cancer in general, and male sex were nearly significant predictors of polyps. Significant cancer predictors were age > or = 60 years (OR, 8.6-27.8), rectal bleeding (OR, 2.7), loss of weight (OR, 2.6), and male sex (OR, 2.2). Fatigue and abdominal pain were nearly significant negative predictors for cancer. No association was found between patient delay and the detection of polyps or cancer. Physician delay was significantly shorter in patients with cancer than in cancer-free patients. Age was the most important predictor for the detection of both polyps and cancer, more important than symptoms and history, including family history.

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