Copying letters to patients: a study of patients' views

To investigate patients' views on receiving copies of letters sent by healthcare professionals, 72 patients were asked about their willingness to receive a copy of the letter sent to their general practitioner and about preferences for the type of information to be included in such letters. They were also asked what concerns, if any, they had about the process. Although the majority of the patients interviewed wished to have the copy letter, many of them expressed concerns about confidentiality, the risk of distress and the cost of the process to the National Health Service. (Original abstract - amended)