Patient-Reported Experiences With Viewing and Understanding Test Results in Patient Portals: Cross-Sectional Survey Analysis - Report - MDSpire

Patient-Reported Experiences With Viewing and Understanding Test Results in Patient Portals: Cross-Sectional Survey Analysis

  • By

  • Chelsea Richwine

  • Bryan Steitz

  • Jordan Everson

  • June 12, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Report: Experiences of Patients in Accessing Test Results Through Health Portals

Overview

This study provides a national estimate of patient access to immediately released test results via health portals. It examines patient preferences for result communication and their understanding of results prior to consultation with healthcare providers.

Background

The right to access personal health information is crucial for patient empowerment and engagement in healthcare. With the implementation of the 21st Century Cures Act, immediate access to test results has become a standard practice, raising concerns about patient comprehension and emotional responses to unmediated results. Understanding how patients interact with their test results is essential for improving communication strategies and healthcare outcomes.

Data Highlights

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Key Findings

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Clinical Implications

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Conclusion

The findings highlight the importance of patient engagement in the communication of test results and the need for healthcare systems to adapt to patient preferences while ensuring understanding.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 2026 -- Patient Experiences With Online Laboratory Test Presentations From Access to Activation: Systematic Review
  2. European Radiology, 2024 -- The Effects of Various Radiology Report Formats on Patient Comprehension: A Systematic Review
  3. Enhancing Patient Empowerment through Digital Informed Consent in Surgical Practices, 2022
  4. npj Digital Medicine, 2025 -- Accessing AI mammography reports impacts patient follow-up behaviors
  5. ONC - Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology -- Preventing Harm Exception
  6. JAMA Network Open, 2025 -- Repeated Access to Patient Portal While Awaiting Test Results and Patient Messaging
  7. Would the Preventing Harm Exception cover a “blanket” several day delay on the release of laboratory or other test results to patients so an ordering clinician can evaluate each result for potential risk of harm associated with the release? - ONC - Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
  8. Repeated Access to Patient Portal While Awaiting Test Results and Patient Messaging
  9. Patient Experiences With Online Laboratory Test Presentations From Access to Activation: Systematic Review - PubMed

Original Source(s)

Patient-Reported Experiences With Viewing and Understanding Test Results in Patient Portals: Cross-Sectional Survey Analysis

  • by Chelsea Richwine, Bryan Steitz, Jordan Everson

  • June 12, 2026

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