Study Reveals Demand for Improved Clarity in Medical Test Reports

Recent research indicates a pressing need for clearer medical reports to alleviate patient anxiety regarding their health outcomes. In 2021, a significant amendment to the 21st Century Cures Act mandated that all medical test results be accessible to patients through their electronic health records as soon as they are available. This legislative change has led many patients to view their test results prior to consulting with their healthcare providers.

However, a substantial issue persists: many medical reports are not designed with the patient's comprehension in mind. Cathryn Lapedis, a physician and researcher at the University of Michigan Health, points out that standard pathology reports are typically crafted for medical professionals, such as surgeons or oncologists, rather than for the patients themselves. Lapedis and her team recently published findings in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) that explore whether a patient-focused reporting format could enhance understanding among patients.

In their study, the researchers developed a patient-centered pathology report that conveys critical diagnostic information in a straightforward manner, minimizing the use of complex medical jargon. For instance, instead of using the term 'prostatic adenocarcinoma,' which may confuse patients, the report simply refers to the condition as 'prostate cancer.'

The study involved 2,238 adults aged between 55 and 84 who had undergone prostate biopsies due to concerning urinary symptoms but had no prior history of prostate cancer. Participants were presented with one of three types of reports: a standard report from the University of Michigan, a standard report from the VA Ann Arbor Health System, or the newly designed patient-centered report.

Participants were tasked with identifying their diagnosis, the Gleason score--which indicates the aggressiveness of prostate cancer--and their risk level based on the reports. Additionally, they were asked to express their levels of concern regarding the results.

The findings revealed a striking disparity in comprehension. Only 39% of participants who received the standard report from the University of Michigan could accurately recognize that the report indicated cancer. In contrast, an impressive 93% of those who reviewed the patient-centered report correctly identified their diagnosis as prostate cancer.

Moreover, the study found that participants' anxiety levels were more closely linked to their risk categorization when they received the patient-centered report, compared to the standard reports. This correlation suggests that clearer reports could play a crucial role in addressing patient worries and enhancing their understanding of their medical conditions.

Lapedis advocates for healthcare institutions to consider integrating patient-centered reports alongside traditional reporting methods to foster better patient comprehension and reduce anxiety surrounding test results. She also recommends that patients proactively engage with their healthcare providers to discuss what terminology to look for in their reports prior to undergoing tests.

This research underscores the importance of effective communication in healthcare settings, particularly as patients gain more immediate access to their medical information. The University of Michigan team plans to further investigate the implementation of patient-centered reporting formats to improve patient outcomes in the future.