The anatomical placement of body organs by Australian and New Zealand patients and health professionals in general practice

Abstract

Understanding patients' awareness of the anatomical placement of their body organs is important for doctor-patient communication. To measure the correct anatomical placement of body organs by people from Australian and New Zealand general practices A questionnaire survey containing drawings of 11 organs placed in different locations within each drawing. Among 1156 participants, there was no difference in the proportion of correct placement of 11 organs between Australian (51.7%) and New Zealand (49.6%) general practices. There was a positive correlation between the proportion of correctly placed organs and the age participants left school (p=0.012) and a negative correlation with the number of GP visits in the previous year (p=0.040). Participants from rural Australia were more likely to correctly place organs than urban participants (p=0.018). The mean proportion of organs correctly placed for doctors was 80.5%, nurses 66.5%, allied health 61.5%, health administrators 50.6% and the remaining consulting patients 51.3%. Patients from Australian and New Zealand general practice were poorly aware of the correct placement of organs. Health professionals were moderately better than patients at correct placement.