This site is intended for health professionals only


GPs urged to explain stool sampling to patients

Patients are more likely to return a stool sample if their GP provides the sampling kit, rather than a receptionist, along with information on its use, public health researchers say.

The team urged GPs to provide stool kits directly to patients, and make sure they explain clearly why it is needed and also give patients an instruction leaflet, to help improve stool collection returns.

Dr Donna Lecky and colleagues from Public Health England (PHE) interviewed 15 people who had previously submitted stool samples, and 11 who had submitted blood samples.

Patients said they trusted GPs and were motivated to comply with a request for a stool sample from GPs, and would be more likely to return it if they understood why the sample was needed and had written instructions, according to the findings presented at the annual PHE conference held at the University of Warwick this week.

On the other hand they said they were uncomfortable talking to receptionists about stool collection, citing embarrassment about other people ‘knowing you were carrying a “dirty” sample’.

One said: ‘You don’t want the whole waiting room listening.’

The researchers said practices needed to do more to encourage patients to return samples as ‘compliance with stool collection is rarely above 60%’.

Dr Cliodna McNulty, head of PHE’s primary care unit, said: ‘We realise that most people find collecting poo an unpleasant thing to do. However there are ways that doctors can help patients to feel confident to fill the pot in the easiest way possible.

‘Without guidance some people did actually think they had to just poo directly into the pot which adds to their distress. We want to encourage healthcare staff to take time to explain the importance of the sample in the patient’s treatment and to give our leaflet to help the collection process. Together these will help to increase the numbers of stool samples sent for testing which will help the patient’s care.’

The researchers plan to publish a full report in the British Journal of General Practice.

>>>> Clinical Newswire


          

Visit Pulse Reference for details on 140 symptoms, including easily searchable symptoms and categories, offering you a free platform to check symptoms and receive potential diagnoses during consultations.