Does delayed measurement affect patient reports of provider performance? Implications for performance measurement of medical assistance with tobacco cessation: A Dental PBRN study

Table 1 Patients' reports of "Ask"* on immediate exit cards versus delayed telephone surveys

		Immediate exit card
Telephone survey @ 1–6 months later		Did the dentist or dental staff ASK you if used tobacco?
	Total N = 150	Yes N = 32 (21%)	No N = 118 (79%)
Did the dentist or dental staff ASK you if used tobacco?	Yes N = 45 (30%)	16	29
	No N = 105 (70%)	16	89
		Sensitivity = 50% (95% CI 31%, 68%)	Specificity = 75% (95% CI 66%, 82%)
		Agreement 105/150= 70% (95% CI 62%, 77%)

* Ask (Patients' report of Tobacco Use Screening from providers): 150 patients from six dental practices, the DTC.net study, 2006

ISSN: 1472-6963