ArticleJournal of medical Internet research2020
Patient Challenges and Needs in Comprehending Laboratory Test Results: Mixed Methods Study.
Article in Journal of medical Internet research, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 33 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
33 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Patient Experiences With Online Laboratory Test Presentations From Access to Activation: Systematic Review.Journal of medical Internet research · 2026Pooled it
- Communicating blood test results in primary care: a mixed-methods systematic review.The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners · 2025Pooled it
- Enhancing Patient Understanding of Laboratory Test Results: Systematic Review of Presentation Formats and Their Impact on Perception, Decision, Action, and Memory.Journal of medical Internet research · 2024Pooled it
- Interpreting Triglycerides: A National Cross-Sectional Review of Laboratory Reporting Practices.Diabetes, obesity & metabolism · 2026Article
- Large language models for interpretation of health checkup results.NPJ digital medicine · 2026Article
- Article
- Making non-emergent abnormal results actionable: a short-term longitudinal qualitative study in two hospital-affiliated health examination centers in China.Frontiers in public health · 2026Article
- Patient-Friendly Test Results and Patient-Initiated Messaging Among Adult Outpatients.JAMA network open · 2025Article
- Patient's Information Needs and Understanding When Reading Anatomic Pathology Reports in Patient Portals.ACI open · 2025Article
- Application of AI Chatbot in Responding to Asynchronous Text-Based Messages From Patients With Cancer: Comparative Study.Journal of medical Internet research · 2025Article
- Interpretating Normal Values and Reference Ranges for Laboratory Tests.Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine : JABFM · 2025Review
- Timing and Method of Patient-Provider Communication for Abnormal Hepatocellular Carcinoma Screening Results in Cirrhosis.JCO clinical cancer informatics · 2025Article
- Enhancing patient engagement and understanding: is providing direct access to laboratory results through patient portals adequate?JAMIA open · 2025Article
- Repeated Access to Patient Portal While Awaiting Test Results and Patient-Initiated Messaging.JAMA network open · 2025Article
- Analysis of the service needs of outpatients undergoing thyroid fine needle aspiration biopsy based on the Kano model.BMC nursing · 2025Article
- Development of a personal health management system integrating digital twin technology and smart wearables in China.Frontiers in public health · 2025Article
- Designing an interoperable patient portal to augment an Advanced Nurse Practitioner service for Children with hydrocephalus.International journal of nursing studies advances · 2024Article
- Literacy and Language Barriers to Overcome in Laboratory Medicine.Clinics in laboratory medicine · 2024Review
- Biomarkers and Data Visualization of Insulin Resistance and Metabolic Syndrome: An Applicable Approach.Life (Basel, Switzerland) · 2024Article
- Phosphorus Knowledge and Dietary Intake of Phosphorus of US Adults Undergoing Dialysis.Nutrients · 2024Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundPatients are increasingly able to access their laboratory test results via patient portals. However, merely providing access does not guarantee comprehension. Patients could experience confusion when reviewing their test results.
objectiveThe aim of this study is to examine the challenges and needs of patients when comprehending laboratory test results.
methodsWe conducted a web-based survey with 203 participants and a set of semistructured interviews with 13 participants. We assessed patients' perceived challenges and needs (both informational and technological needs) when they attempted to comprehend test results, factors associated with patients' perceptions, and strategies for improving the design of patient portals to communicate laboratory test results more effectively. Descriptive and correlation analysis and thematic analysis were used to analyze the survey and interview data, respectively.
resultsPatients face a variety of challenges and confusion when reviewing laboratory test results. To better comprehend laboratory results, patients need different types of information, which are grouped into 2 categories-generic information (eg, reference range) and personalized or contextual information (eg, treatment options, prognosis, what to do or ask next). We also found that several intrinsic factors (eg, laboratory result normality, health literacy, and technology proficiency) significantly impact people's perceptions of using portals to view and interpret laboratory results. The desired enhancements of patient portals include providing timely explanations and educational resources (eg, a health encyclopedia), increasing usability and accessibility, and incorporating artificial intelligence-based technology to provide personalized recommendations.
conclusionsPatients face significant challenges in interpreting the meaning of laboratory test results. Designers and developers of patient portals should employ user-centered approaches to improve the design of patient portals to present information in a more meaningful way.
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