The 21st Century Cures Act brought about a significant change in the healthcare industry in April 2021, requiring that all medical test results be promptly released to a patient’s electronic medical record. This shift has led to many patients gaining access to and reviewing their test results before their healthcare providers do.
However, a common issue arises when patients attempt to interpret these medical reports, as they are often not written with patients in mind. Pathology reports, for example, are typically crafted for medical specialists and may contain complex terminology that can be difficult for the average person to understand.
To address this issue, a team of researchers led by Cathryn Lapedis, M.D., M.P.H., from the Department of Pathology at the University of Michigan Health, conducted a study to evaluate the effectiveness of patient-centered pathology reports. These reports aim to present crucial diagnostic information in a clear and simplified format that minimizes medical jargon, making it easier for patients to comprehend.
In the study published in JAMA, 2,238 adults aged 55 to 84 were presented with hypothetical scenarios involving prostate biopsy results. Participants were shown different types of reports, including standard University reports, standard VA reports, and patient-centered pathology reports. They were then asked to identify their diagnosis, Gleason score, risk level, and report their level of worry based on the results.
The findings revealed that participants who received the patient-centered pathology reports demonstrated significantly higher accuracy in identifying their diagnosis and associated risk level compared to those who received standard reports. Additionally, participants’ level of worry was more closely aligned with their actual risk level when presented with the patient-centered reports.
Based on these results, Lapedis recommends that hospital systems consider incorporating patient-centered pathology reports alongside standard reports to enhance patient understanding. Moving forward, the research team plans to explore the implementation of patient-centered reports at the University of Michigan.
In the meantime, Lapedis advises patients to engage in discussions with their healthcare providers about what specific terms to look for in their medical reports even before undergoing tests. By fostering clearer communication and understanding between patients and healthcare professionals, the healthcare experience can be greatly improved for all parties involved.
