Patients tend to prefer Web portals for receiving the results of common medical tests, according to a study from Georgetown University Medical Center.
However, the researchers also found that with two exceptions -- for non-HIV sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and genetic test results -- most patients didn't mind communication methods such as email or a personal voicemail.
The research team led by Jeannine LaRocque, PhD, an assistant professor of human science in the School of Nursing and Health Studies, surveyed more than 400 participants on their preferences for receiving the results of three different kinds of tests: common tests such as blood cholesterol or colonoscopy; non-HIV STIs; and genetic testing.
Of the seven communication methods surveyed (password-protected patient portal website, personal voicemail, personal email, letter, home voicemail, fax, and mobile phone text), patients were least comfortable receiving faxes, according to a press release.
Half or more preferred to receive cholesterol or colonoscopy results via four methods: password-protected patient portal websites, personal voicemail, personal email, or letter. The majority did not want to receive a home voicemail, mobile text message, or fax.
