Marco Vasconcelos
Transitive inference in non-human animals: an empirical and theoretical analysis
Behavioural processes
people investigated cancer face wealth complex information nonspecific symptom pathways nss implemented united kingdom 2017 address needs patients experiencing symptoms weight loss fatigue general practitioner gut feeling streamlined pathways cancer investigation study aimed explore health literacy skills needed patients investigated cancer nss pathways study employed ethnographic methods across four hospitals england including interviews patient shadowing clinical care observations examine nss pathways cancer diagnosis recruited 27 patients shadowed interviewed care also interviewed 27 professionals analysis focused patient communication understanding drawing concepts personal organisational health literacy analysis derived six themes highlighting considerable informational demands nss pathway patients required understand complex blood tests investigations primary care often understand referred nss pathway difficult understand minority patients appreciating multiple organs investigated cancer process progressing pathway also difficult understand particularly around making decisions would happen next results investigations complex often including incidental findings patients whose persistent symptoms explained often unsure following discharge identified several potential missed opportunities organisations support patient understanding nss pathways could lead inappropriate helpseeking postdischarge patients difficulties comprehending previous investigations findings could result delays overtesting inadequately targeted investigations hindering effective use medical history third patients limited understanding investigations results may impede ability engage patient safety reporting potential care errors patient public clinical policy representatives contributed developing research objectives series meetings individual conversations preparation study held several events patients public opportunity give feedback results local interest groups north london academic conferences clinical contributor ja involved data analysis writing manuscript