Notification of syphilis test results by telephone: acceptability ratings in a community-based sample of Scottish gay men

Abstract

Notifying patients of the results of syphilis testing by telephone can be cost-effective for clinic staff. This study compared the acceptability ratings among potential patients of three methods of learning of syphilis test results: with a call to a mobile phone; with a call to a home phone; and with the patient phoning in for results. A questionnaire was distributed to male clients of gay venues in Glasgow, Scotland, during 2005 (n = 150). Phoning in for results was rated as significantly more acceptable than either learning of results with a call to a mobile phone, or receiving a phone call at home (both P < 0.001). Further, receiving a call on a mobile phone was rated as significantly more acceptable than receiving a call at home (P < 0.001). It is recommended that patients be given the option of initiating the communication of test results.