Between four walls: what level of privacy do women want?

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Privacy for the woman attending breast screening is a sensitive and subjective issue. Results from our regular customer satisfaction surveys indicate that a small percentage (3%) of women are dissatisfied with privacy arrangements in our screening units. Those who said there was only just enough privacy varied between 7% and 25% depending upon the area screened. To investigate what privacy means to the woman attending breast screening, 158 women were interviewed in both static and mobile screening units to identify the most vulnerable areas. Results suggested that women were concerned with: (1) giving personal details at reception, eg full address, telephone number, date of birth; (2) changing prior to the mammogram; and (3) location of the mobile screening unit.

To evaluate this initial study and obtain specific qualitative information, a detailed semi-structured interview was developed. The information obtained from this evaluation study will be used: (1) to improve the service where possible and appropriate; and (2) if appropriate, to develop a quantitative tool to monitor the sensitive and subjective issues surrounding what 'privacy' means to the woman.