# Bringing question notes to physicians: A nationwide cross-sectional study in Japan (INFORM study 2020)

## TL;DR

A study in Japan found that over 60% of people never bring prepared questions to doctor visits, including those with cancer histories.

## Contribution

The study reveals low rates of using question notes during medical consultations in Japan and identifies demographic factors associated with this behavior.

## Key findings

- Over 60% of respondents never brought question notes to physicians.
- More than 50% of cancer-diagnosed individuals never brought question notes.
- Younger age, being male, employed, and in good health were linked to not bringing question notes.

## Abstract

To describe the behavior of bringing question notes to physicians in Japan and explore the factors associated with this behavior.

We used data from a nationwide cross-sectional study conducted in Japan on access to health information (INFORM Study 2020). Data from 3605 respondents, 3572 of whom did not miss the primary endpoint of bringing question notes to physicians, were analyzed. The prevalence of weighted ratios of four-item responses (always, usually, sometimes, never) was described, and multivariable logistic regression was used to explore associated variables with “never bringing question notes.” We also explored the differences in these factors based on the cancer diagnosis experience.

More than 60 % of all respondents and even among those who had a history of cancer diagnosis themselves, more than 50 % had never brought question notes to physicians. Being under 40 years of age, male, employed, and in good health were significantly associated with never bringing question notes.

Those who had never brought question notes to physicians were high both overall and among those who had a cancer diagnosis.

Nationwide survey data revealed that Japanese people are less proactive in bringing the notes prepared beforehand to the consultation.

•A nationwide cross-sectional survey on health information in Japan was conducted.•This study describe the behavior of bringing question notes to physicians.•More than 60 % of all respondents had never brought question notes to physicians.•Among those with a history of cancer diagnosis, more than half had never brought.

A nationwide cross-sectional survey on health information in Japan was conducted.

This study describe the behavior of bringing question notes to physicians.

More than 60 % of all respondents had never brought question notes to physicians.

Among those with a history of cancer diagnosis, more than half had never brought.