To understand how patients engage with and respond to online access to laboratory test results, and to identify patterns in comprehension, emotional responses, and subsequent actions, highlighting the significance of this understanding for improving patient care.
Key Findings:
Over 90% of portal users view their laboratory results, but access does not guarantee understanding or appropriate action.
Disadvantaged groups face greater challenges in interpreting results and engaging with their care, which may lead to health disparities.
Clear communication and contextualization of results are critical to prevent confusion and anxiety, suggesting a need for better design in patient portals.
Interpretation:
The review highlights the need for improved design and support in patient portals, specifically focusing on clear communication and contextualization to enhance understanding and engagement with laboratory results.
Limitations:
The review may not capture all relevant studies due to the evolving nature of research and publication timelines.
Potential biases in self-reported experiences of patients may affect the findings.
Variability in study quality among included research may impact the overall conclusions drawn.
Conclusion:
The study underscores the importance of connecting digital tools to clinical workflows and enhancing patient engagement in health management, while also calling for ongoing research to address these challenges.
