Provision of feedback on perceived health status to health care professionals: A systematic review of its impact

OBJECTIVE. To assess the impact on the process and the outcomes of care of feeding back information on perceived health status to health care professionals in clinical practice. DESIGN. Systematic review of controlled trials. Data identification: Search in electronic databases (MEDLINE 1966-1997), manual searches, and requests to experts in the field. Data analysis: Differences between intervention and control group were considered in process of care (use of health services, diagnosis, and treatment), patient outcomes (health status), and patient satisfaction. In a subgroup of 13 interventions that dealt with the provision of feedback about the patient's mental health, the impact on the process of care was subjected to meta-analysis. RESULTS. We identified 21 studies that satisfied the selection criteria. Eleven of 20 (55%) found significant differences (P