Patient Challenges and Needs in Comprehending Laboratory Test Results: Mixed Methods Study

Zhang, Zhan; Citardi, Daniel; Xing, Aiwen; Luo, Xiao; Yu, Lu; He, Zhe

doi:10.2196/18725

Cited by 36 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…Thus they may make decisions about their health that are based on incorrect information, with negative consequences for their health [ 25 ]. Health check participants have requested trustworthy educational resources online [ 26 ]. In Sweden and several other countries, the national health care system provides an online portal with quality-ensured health information to the public (e.g., Medlineplus.gov, NHS.uk) [ 4 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Health literacy and digital health information-seeking behavior – a cross-sectional study among highly educated Swedes

2022

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Background The benefits of digital development in health care may be obscured by unequal opportunities to make use of digital resources. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of health literacy with I) accessing health check test results in the Patient Electronic Health Record (PAEHR), II) searching for information to better understand individual test results, and III) using the national health information online portal provided by the Swedish national health care system. Methods This cross-sectional study included data from 434 individuals, 50–64 years old, randomly selected from the Swedish population during the year 2017 to a cohort study including health examination and a web-based survey. Health literacy was assessed at baseline using the Swedish Communicative and Critical Health Literacy scale. Digital information outcomes were assessed after three months. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the separate outcomes were computed using logistic regression. Covariates included sex, age, education, country of birth, cardiovascular risk factors at baseline, general health, risk perception, referral, and new cardiovascular risk factors detected at health examination. Results About a third of the participants (35%) had limited health literacy, while 65% had sufficient health literacy. Sufficient health literacy was associated with accessing the PAEHR (adjusted OR 1.81 95% CI 1.07–3.06) and use of the online national health information portal provided by the Swedish national health care system (adjusted OR 2.91 95% CI 1.13–7.52) but not with searching information to better understand individual test results (adjusted OR 1.29 0.75–2.20). Conclusions Individuals with limited health literacy do not access their personal health information nor search for health information on the online national health information portal provided by the Swedish national health care system to the same extent as individuals with sufficient health literacy. More research is needed about how the level of health literacy relates to differences in online health information-seeking behavior and how digital health information sources and e-health services can be designed to ensure that the entire population has equal access to trustworthy and quality-ensured health information.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Health literacy and digital health information-seeking behavior – a cross-sectional study among highly educated Swedes

2022

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“…Therefore, although this study was specific to one citizen, the journey map concept could be modified and used to synthesize common issues experienced by multiple citizens. This study revealed that providing citizens with access to their test results via portals offers some value, but these systems may not meet their diverse needs [8]. Therefore, with the advent of digital health technologies and services, considerations to eHealth literacy, the digital divide and health equity are paramount.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Therefore, in conjunction with the features and readily available data that digital health tools offer, it is imperative to understand the context in which they will be accessed, used, and interpreted along the patient journey [7]. Merely, providing citizens with access to their health information does not guarantee comprehension [8] or equitable distribution of health services. Further, the broad expansion of technologies can exacerbate health care disparities (i.e., reduce health equity) by offering more services to those who are already better positioned, while leaving behind people without adequate infrastructure (i.e., no access) or that do not have the knowledge or desire to use technology [9].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Contextualizing Online Laboratory (lab) Results and Mapping the Patient Journey

Joseph

Monkman

MacDonald

et al. 2022

Studies in Health Technology and Informatics

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The 21st century has brought forth unprecedented technological advances, such as the advent of portable digital devices [1]. This trend has also permeated the health care sector, with the introduction of digital health services, like providing citizens with access to their online laboratory (lab) results. This qualitative study will illustrate the patient journey, namely participant 16 (P16), to address the research question: what phases does a person go through when accessing their lab results online? The findings revealed that lab results were accessed from two types of devices a tablet (e.g., portable computer) when at home and a mobile phone when away from home. We also found that interpretation of results can be a challenge and it was unclear if P16 was able to understand her lab results. To illustrate the complexity of interpreting and accessing online lab results, the authors created a Customer Journey Map to contextualize the experiences of P16. The journey map depicts a combination of factors such as: eHealth literacy, limited access to providers, difficulty interpreting lab test results. Additionally, recommendations for online lab portal functionality enhancements were discovered through the mapping exercise. This study demonstrated that along with providing citizens with access to digital health technologies and services, considerations to eHealth literacy, the digital divide and health equity are paramount. As evidenced by the visualization, journey maps hold promise to serve as efficient tools to build empathy and identify the unique needs and perspectives of citizens.

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“…1,16,19 After viewing results, patients might seek information by calling or messaging clinicians (thereby increasing clinician workload), searching the internet, or consulting family and friends, with varied success toward understanding results accurately. 8,17 Research should explore how clinicians can best set patients' expectations at the time of referral or testing for potential ambiguity in portal-delivered results (Table 1, skill 2) and address patient understanding of results in follow-up discussions (Table 1, skill 4).…”

Section: Opportunities and Challenges In Communication Because Of Dir...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Communication Skills Training for Oncology Clinicians After the 21st Century Cures Act: The Need to Contextualize Patient Portal–Delivered Test Results

Hahne

Carpenter

Epstein

et al. 2023

JCO Oncology Practice

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Patient Challenges and Needs in Comprehending Laboratory Test Results: Mixed Methods Study

Cited by 36 publications

References 49 publications

Health literacy and digital health information-seeking behavior – a cross-sectional study among highly educated Swedes

Health literacy and digital health information-seeking behavior – a cross-sectional study among highly educated Swedes

Contextualizing Online Laboratory (lab) Results and Mapping the Patient Journey

Communication Skills Training for Oncology Clinicians After the 21st Century Cures Act: The Need to Contextualize Patient Portal–Delivered Test Results

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