What methods should be used to effectively present information about the diagnostic pathway and the likely outcomes, risks and benefits, with and without treatment, to particular groups of people defined by age, ethnicity and sex?
Methods of communication (both the content and delivery) should be guided by current evidence-based best practice. Controlled trials should be conducted based on well- constructed randomised controlled clinical trials comparing the effects of different methods of communication on the understanding of the person with chest pain. Such studies might consider a number of delivery mechanisms, including advice and discussion with a clinician or a specialist nurse, as well as specific information leaflets or visual data. Any trials should also investigate the feasibility of introducing a suggested guideline protocol to be used with all people presenting with chest pain when faced with options concerning their clinical pathway.