Related Experiment Videos
Patient preferences for laboratory test results notification.
1Henry Ford Health System, Department of Family Practice, One Ford Place, Room 2C, Detroit, MI 48202-3450, USA. jmeza1@hfhs.org
The American Journal of Managed Care
|January 11, 2001
Summary
Patients want to be informed of all laboratory test results, both normal and abnormal. Most patients prefer to receive results via mail, highlighting the need for improved patient notification systems.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Chemistry
- Patient Communication
- Health Outcomes
Background:
- Patient notification is a critical, yet often overlooked, step in the laboratory testing process.
- Patients with abnormal results face delays in health behavior changes due to delayed notification.
- Normal test results are frequently not communicated to patients, hindering complete health management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate patient preferences regarding the notification of laboratory test results.
- To understand how patients wish to receive both normal and abnormal test findings.
Main Methods:
- A telephone survey was conducted with 49 hypercholesterolemia patients.
- Patients were queried about their awareness of test results, notification methods, satisfaction, and preferred communication channels.
Main Results:
- A significant majority (94%) of patients desired notification for all test results, encompassing both normal and abnormal findings.
- Mail emerged as the preferred notification method for 59% of patients, followed by phone (16%) and office visits (12%).
Conclusions:
- Communicating both normal and abnormal laboratory results is highly valued by patients.
- Further research is essential to identify the most effective and satisfactory methods for patient notification.