Is There Value Without Context? A Survey Evaluating How Laboratory Test Results Are Presented to Patients in Canada

Although direct reporting of laboratory test results to patients improves engagement and utilization of healthcare services, this assumes that results are presented in a manner that can be comprehended and acted upon by patients. To evaluate the practice of patient reporting across Canadian laboratories, a voluntary survey was distributed. 22 responses were received from laboratories and laboratory networks nationwide, representative of the range of Canadian laboratory and patient demographics. Despite the Connected Care for Canadians Act being passed in June 2024, one-third of respondents do not provide results to patients. Of those that do, results largely replicate physician reports and are heterogeneous between labs, with different strategies used to present data and flag abnormalities. A minority of labs suppress some testing from patient receipt, modify reports to improve patient comprehension, or provide graphs to support interpretation and trending. Laboratory professionals largely agreed that there are benefits in modifying reports to aid in patient comprehension but expressed concern that patient health literacy is currently in adequate. This may lead to increased anxiety, misinterpretation of results, follow-up questions, self-diagnosis, and undue stress until a healthcare provider could be consulted. Collaboration with patients and healthcare providers is necessary to develop guidelines on meaningful direct-to-patient reporting.