Study Finds Patients Struggle to Understand Medical Test Results, Leading to Increased Anxiety
New Delhi: A recent study by Michigan Medicine - University of Michigan, published in the JAMA Network reveals that many patients find it challenging to comprehend their medical test results, which can heighten anxiety levels.
This issue has become more prominent since the April 2021 implementation of a provision in the 21st Century Cures Act, requiring immediate release of all medical test results to patients' electronic medical records. Consequently, patients often access their results before consulting with their healthcare providers.
Dr. Cathryn Lapedis, M.D., M.P.H., from the Department of Pathology at University of Michigan Health, noted, "A standard pathology report is written by a pathologist for a clinical specialist like a surgeon or a cancer doctor or for other pathologists to read." This technical language can be difficult for patients to interpret, leading to confusion and worry.
To address this, Dr. Lapedis and her team tested whether patient-centered pathology reports could improve understanding. "A patient-centered pathology report gives important information on the patient's diagnosis in a clear format that minimizes medical terminology," she explained. For instance, instead of using the term 'prostatic adenocarcinoma,' the patient-centered report would simply state 'prostate cancer.'
The study involved 2,238 adults aged 55 to 84, all with a prostate but no history of prostate cancer. Participants were presented with a hypothetical scenario involving urinary symptoms, a biopsy, and subsequent test results delivered through a patient portal. They were shown one of three report types: a standard University report, a standard VA report, or a patient-centered pathology report.
Findings indicated that only 39% of participants reviewing the standard University report could accurately identify a cancer diagnosis. In contrast, 93% of those who received the patient-centered report correctly understood their diagnosis. Additionally, participants' levels of worry corresponded more appropriately with their actual risk levels when reviewing patient-centered reports.
Dr Lapedis recommends that hospital systems consider providing patient-centered pathology reports alongside standard reports to enhance patient comprehension. She advises patients to discuss with their clinicians which terms to look for in their reports prior to testing.
The study underscores the importance of clear communication in medical reporting to reduce patient anxiety and improve understanding.