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Social patterning in knowledge following an informed choice invitation for Type 2 diabetes screening
Author(s) -
Kellar I.,
Mason D.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
diabetic medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.474
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1464-5491
pISSN - 0742-3071
DOI - 10.1111/dme.12334
Subject(s) - medicine , readability , limiting , test (biology) , autonomy , type 2 diabetes , family medicine , multiple choice , diabetes mellitus , mechanical engineering , paleontology , philosophy , linguistics , political science , law , engineering , biology , endocrinology , significant difference
Aims To describe prevalence of knowledge of items specified by the UK General Medical Council as required to make an informed choice following an invitation for screening for Type 2 diabetes and investigate whether knowledge was socio‐economically patterned. Methods A 9‐item knowledge questionnaire was employed immediately following an informed choice invitation to Type 2 diabetes screening that was piloted with 278 people between 40 and 69 years in the UK between February and April 2006. Results With the exception of post‐diagnosis treatment and the effectiveness of early treatment in preventing long‐term problems, information was typically understood correctly. Social patterning was observed: individuals who left full‐time education before 19 years of age were less likely to understand the most likely test result, the effectiveness of early treatment in preventing long‐term problems or the possible harms of screening. Conclusions Even risk communication materials developed for ease of readability can result in inequity, limiting autonomy in healthcare decisions.