"We'll call you when the results are in": Preferences for how medical test results are delivered.

Abstract

Whether healthy or sick, adults undergo frequent medical testing; however, no guidelines currently exist as to how patients are informed of their medical test results. This short report provides an initial look at how healthcare professionals deliver medical test results and patient preferences regarding these procedures. We specifically focus on two options for delivery of results: (1) open-ended timing, in which patients are contacted without warning when test results become available; or (2) closed-ended timing, in which patients are provided with a specific day and time when they will learn their test results. Participants who underwent a recent medical test indicated which delivery method their healthcare professional provided and their preferred method. Findings demonstrate a large discrepancy between actual and preferred timing, stemming from a general trend towards providing open-ended timing, whereas patient preferences were evenly split between the two options. This study provides a first step in understanding the merits of two options for delivering medical test results to patients and suggests an opportunity to improve patient care. The findings from this study provide first steps toward the development of guidelines for delivering test results in ways that maximize the quality of patient care.