Turer R, DesRoches C, Salmi L, et al. Patient Perceptions of Receiving COVID-19 Test Results via an Online Patient Portal: An Open Results Survey. Appl Clin Inform 2021; 12(04): 954-959.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0041-1736221
This study evaluated patient perspectives related to receiving COVID-19 test results via an online patient portal prior to discussion with a clinician. Users found the portal easy to use but expressed mixed preferences about the means of notification of result availability (e.g., email, text, or phone call). Users found immediate access to results useful for managing their health, employment, and family/childcare. Many users shared their results and encouraged others to get tested. Our cohort consisted mostly of non-Hispanic white, highly educated, English-speaking patients. Overall, patients found open results useful for COVID-19 testing and few expressed increased worries from receiving their results via the patient portal.
