Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Human Factors
Date Submitted: Sep 20, 2022
Date Accepted: Apr 13, 2023
Understanding the Information, Functionality, And Usability Needs for Consumer-Facing Online Laboratory Results Portals: A Questionnaire Pilot Study of Users in British Columbia, Canada
ABSTRACT
Background:
Consumer (e.g., patient, layperson) access to online laboratory results has increased dramatically over the past decade. However, many systems are not designed with the patient in mind.
Objective:
The purpose of the research is to determine the interface facilitators and barriers affecting patient use of an online laboratory (lab) system. This will inform future systems designs to optimize care and safety.
Methods:
We distributed to patients an online questionnaire with closed-ended (i.e., Likert scale) and open-ended questions. We analyzed closed-ended questions using descriptive statistics; we analyzed open-ended questions using affinity diagramming.
Results:
Patients preferred reviewing lab results online, rather than waiting to see the physician. However, patients gave poor ratings for the communication of online lab results (i.e., usability, information, and displays). Displays received the weakest rating, indicating an area needing urgent attention.
Conclusions:
Improving the usability, information, and the displays of these online laboratory systems could better satisfy consumer requirements and improve patient empowerment, care, and safety.
Citation
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Copyright
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