Communication
Conditions
Keywords
Health Literacy, Lab test results communication
Brief summary
This study will try out a new way of writing a blood test result letter to patients explaining the results in a way to help them understand what the results mean and any next steps to be taken.
Detailed description
The primary goal of this study was to help healthcare providers more effectively communicate the meaning of laboratory test results and any need for follow-up, facilitating patient engagement in their healthcare. The investigators propose that using an innovative laboratory test result template integrating health literacy best practices, specifically the Clear Communication of Lab Results (CCLR) template, has the potential to improve health outcomes and health care processes. The purpose of this study was to create and assess the feasibility of using the CCLR template for 3 common laboratory tests to increase knowledge and confidence, decrease anxiety, activate follow-up, and improve satisfaction among older adults.
Interventions
OTHERClear Communication of Lab Test Result letter
The Clear Communication of Lab Test Result letter (CCLR) was designed using clear communication and health literacy best practices to explain test done, meaning of results, and any future action recommended.
Sponsors
University of Massachusetts, Worcester
Study design
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
SEQUENTIAL
Primary purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
First 30 participants received standard of care; 2nd 30 participants received the Clear Communication of Laboratory Result templated result note
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
70 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* age 70 or older * English fluency * order for CBC, BMP, or FLP * capacity to provide informed consent * willingness to participate in follow-up phone survey
Exclusion criteria
* provider determined potential participant does not have cognitive capacity to read or understand communication about lab test results
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Recruitment | 18 months | Investigators will recruit participants for the study and providers will use the Clear Communication of Lab Test Result Letter |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Global Anxiety-Visual Scale | 2 weeks after blood test was drawn | Measure of anxiety after receiving the lab result letter. The minimum value is zero (0) and the maximum value is 100; higher scores mean greater anxiety. |
| Confidence | 2 weeks after blood test was drawn | Visual analogue scale to assess confidence in understanding meaning of lab test result. The minimum score is 1 (not at all satisfied) and the maximum score is 10 (extremely satisfied). Higher score reflects higher confidence. |
| Comprehension of follow-up plans | 2 weeks after blood test was drawn | Yes/No response to question, Was it clear if there were any next steps participant needs to do related to the blood test results? |
| Patient Satisfaction | 2 weeks after blood test was drawn | Visual analogue scale response to question, how satisfied was the participant with the letter describing lab test results? Minium response is one (1) not at all satisfied and the maximum response is 10, extremely satisfied. A higher score reflects higher satisfaction. |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed