Study Lays Foundation For More Patient Access To Medical Records

[Guest guest]

Study Lays Foundation For More Patient Access To Medical Records

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169534.php

A new study by researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine suggests

that many patients are dissatisfied with the way they receive results of

radiology tests and want more access to information in their medical records,

specifically, detailed, lay-language results from those tests.

The study, published today in the November issue of the Journal of the American

College of Radiology, reports that in general, patients are not happy with the

way they receive information about radiology imaging tests, such as MRIs

(Magnetic Resonance Imaging), CT (Computed Tomography, or " CAT " ) scans and

ultrasounds, and how long it takes to get results

" Most of the patients in our study were decidedly dissatisfied with how they

find out about their radiology test results, " said Annette J. , M.D.,

M.S., an associate professor of radiology and lead investigator on the study.

" Specifically, they were unhappy with the delay before getting results and the

lack of detail when they do find out what the tests showed. The classic, most

common story we heard was that the patient went to her doctor for a symptom such

as pain, was sent for an MRI and then heard nothing until their next regular

doctor's appointment. Then, when the patient asked what the MRI showed, her

doctor gave a generic answer - 'Everything was fine.' The patients in our study

said that they don't want to hear 'fine' weeks after the test. They want to know

details and they want to know them as soon as the results are in. "

For the study, researchers created two focus groups - one comprised of patients

who had recently had an MRI with normal results and the other of patients who

had recently had an abnormal MRI. A facilitator was brought in to ask the two

groups open-ended questions separately about their experiences with the tests,

their perceptions about which aspects of radiology information and access to

results are important to patients, and what methods of results information

access would be preferred by patients. The discussions were audiotaped and

transcribed to analyze results.

" Typically, if you need a scan, your doctor sends you to a radiologist to get

the test, but you never actually see or speak to the radiologist, " said.

" Some time later, commonly a few weeks later, you go back to your regular

doctor, who gives you a brief summary of the results. Patients in our study

aren't happy with that system. They want their results quickly, in writing, and

they want detailed information about the test results in language they can

understand. "

The majority of participants said they would be interested in a system where

they were able to get their radiology results securely online as soon as they

were available. They predicted that such a system would give them time before

their next doctor's appointment to prepare questions for their doctor, learn

about their own condition or disease, and get a jump start on setting up

referrals if needed. They believed having access to their own medical records

would put them on a more even level with their doctor so that, as patients, they

don't have to depend on their doctor to cure their ailments, but rather they can

work as a team with their doctors and play an active role in helping themselves.

While some of the study participants expressed concern about getting bad news

while alone and not wanting to substitute online access for a follow-up visit

with the doctor, they generally were dissatisfied with the current way radiology

test results are relayed back to patients and thought the option of accessing

results online would be much preferred.

[Guest guest]

How true.

My son (14) had a spinal tap to check out/rule out auto immune disease . His

diagnosis is CMT but so far all genetic testing is normal. The spinal tap was

done August 2009. I still have not got the results, despite numerous phone call

to the lab, and to the ordering physician at UCLA Peadiatric neurology.

Maneesha

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