Survey Finds Many Patients View Test Results Before Doctor, Some Don't Understand
A nationally representative survey found 68.6% of patients viewed medical test results online before hearing from their doctor, but 6.6% rated their understanding as poor. Poor comprehension was more common among those living in the Midwest or South and those who experienced medical care discrimination. Higher digital literacy and patient-centered communication were linked to better understanding.
The survey drew from the 2024 Health Information National Trends Survey, with nearly 5,000 respondents who had online medical record access and a test within the past year. The 21st Century Cures Act mandates immediate release of test results to patient portals. Older age, female sex, higher income, more chronic conditions, higher digital literacy, and greater health-related social media use all correlated with viewing results promptly.
The researchers noted a "twin responsibility" for health systems: providing information transparently while ensuring patients can understand it. The study also raised questions about whether patients are too eager to check results or doctors too slow to communicate them, and highlighted gaps in which populations lag behind in accessing their information.
This study could affect how healthcare systems approach patient communication. With immediate result release now mandated, patients who lack digital literacy or face discrimination may be left confused or anxious about their health data. The findings may prompt hospitals to develop clearer result explanations, automated follow-up systems, or targeted outreach to vulnerable populations. Patients in the Midwest and South, along with those who have experienced discrimination, could benefit most from such interventions, potentially reducing health disparities.