To provide a national estimate of the share of patients who access immediately released test results and to examine patient preferences regarding the communication of these results, particularly in relation to their understanding and emotional response.
Key Findings:
Patients overwhelmingly prefer immediate access to test results, even before discussing them with their healthcare provider (HCP).
Preferences for immediate release of results may vary based on the severity or sensitivity of the results, with some patients preferring HCP contact for abnormal results.
Many patients were not informed about the possibility of receiving results in their portal before HCP discussion.
Interpretation:
The study highlights the need for healthcare organizations to consider patient preferences in the communication of test results, as this can significantly impact patient understanding and emotional response.
Limitations:
The study may not capture the full range of patient experiences across different healthcare settings, such as urban vs. rural or specialized vs. general practices.
Responses may be influenced by self-reporting biases, which could affect the reliability of the findings.
Conclusion:
The findings provide insights into how patients engage with immediately available test results and their communication preferences, emphasizing the importance of patient engagement in improving healthcare outcomes.
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