Patients like viewing lab results online

The majority of patients report positive feelings after viewing their laboratory results online, according to a Kaiser Permanente (KP) study published in the Journal of Participatory Medicine.

The survey examined patients’ reactions to viewing laboratory results, including emotional responses, what actions patients took after learning their results, and impact of preparatory conversations between physicians and patients.

Respondents were 1,546 KP patients who had viewed at least one test result online within the past year. Overall:

• Patients reported high levels of satisfaction, appreciation, calm, happiness and relief when viewing their results online. Few reported worry, confusion, fear, upset or anger, according to the study.
• The most common follow-up activities were discussing results with family or friends, online research and making a graph of the pattern of test results over time.
• Patients who spoke with their doctors prior to viewing their results experienced significantly more relief, appreciation, satisfaction, happiness and calm; and less confusion compared to those who did not speak with their doctors.

“This study demonstrates that patients who view their lab test results online overwhelmingly react with positive rather than negative emotions. The results also illustrate the influence of physician-patient prior communication on patients’ reactions and their follow-up actions,” wrote lead author Kate Christensen, former medical director, Kaiser Permanente et al.