Open AccessCommunicating laboratory results through a Web site: Patients' priorities and viewpoints
Author(s) -
Sabahi Azam,
Ahmadian Leila,
Mirzaee Moghademeh
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of clinical laboratory analysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.536
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1098-2825
pISSN - 0887-8013
DOI - 10.1002/jcla.22422
Subject(s) - viewpoints , web site , medicine , confidentiality , web application , world wide web , patient satisfaction , the internet , computer science , nursing , computer security , art , visual arts
Background Patients can access laboratory results using various technologies. The aim of this study was to integrate the laboratory results into the hospital Web site based on patients' viewpoints and priorities and to measure patients' satisfaction. Methods This descriptive‐analytical study was conducted in 2015. First, a questionnaire was distributed among 200 patients to assess patients' priorities to receive laboratory results through the Web site. Second, those who agreed (n = 95) to receive their laboratory results through the Web site were identified. Then, the required changes were made to the hospital Web site based on patients' viewpoints and priorities. Third, patients were divided into two groups. The first group received their laboratory results through the Web site on the date had been announced during their visit to the laboratory. The second group was informed by SMS once their results were shown on the Web site. After receiving laboratory results, patients' satisfaction was evaluated. Results More than half of the participants (n = 53, 55.8%) were highly satisfied with receiving the results electronically. The higher number of people in SMS group (n = 9, 20.9%) reported that they were satisfied with time‐saving compared to other group (n = 2, 3.8%) ( P = .04). Participants after receiving the results through the Web site considered the functionalities of reprinting ( P < .0001) and timeliness ( P = .017) more important. Conclusion Integrating laboratory results into the hospital Web site based on the patients' viewpoints and priorities can improve patient satisfaction and lower the patients' concern regarding confidentiality of their results.