Patient information leaflets for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy: questionnaire survey

OBJECTIVES To compare the level of information provided in extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) patient information leaflets in the London and East of England Deaneries DESIGN All trusts in the London and East of England Deanery who offer an ESWL service were contacted and leaflets were compared SETTING London and East of England Deanery PARTICIPANTS Alan Askari, Iqbal Shergill MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Examination of key information that was communicated to ESWL patients via leaflets RESULTS 12 trusts responded across the two deaneries. There was significant variation in the amount of information provided in the leaflets with some leaflets not containing an adequate level of instruction or information to patients CONCLUSIONS The authors propose that a national standardised information leaflet should be incorporated with the British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) procedure specific information leaflet for ESWL procedures.