Immediate access to health test results can be a mixed bag for patients

Patients can access their own health records – including the test results – as soon as they are available. Although it may sound advantageous, people get life -changing diagnoses in some cases before their doctors have the chance to speak to them.

The accessibility is due to laws that came into force in 2021 21st century Cures Act.

It should enable patients to access electronic health records and faster access to medical innovations. However, experts say that it has an unintentional side effect.

“It's a great idea, but it comes with some wrinkles,” said the medical correspondent of CBS News, Dr. Jon Lapook.

For example, patients can see information such as cancer screening results before a doctor delivers the news. While it is best to discuss the results with your doctor, some believe that the ability to access the information can be an advantage.

“Especially with paper documents, we would say: 'Well, no news is good news.”

He explained that a doctor can ensure that the results are not published immediately, but that this would have to comply with certain criteria.

“It must be because you believe that the results lead to the patient harmful himself or to someone else, not emotionally,” said Lapook. “Depending on the app in which he is located, the patient can also say: 'I don't want to see the results.'”

Lapook's oldest sister, Judy, had a similar experience with blood test results a few years ago. It was late in the night when her phone was expelled with the result of a blood test. It was a kidney test called Bun, blood urea nitrogen nitrogen. The result was “a bit high” and abnormal, said Lapook.

His sister turned to the Internet to get answers.

“In the middle of the night it shows them to kidneylysis locations, kidney transplant locations and at 7 a.m. when she finally called me … she laughed at herself, but also seriously. I said: 'No, you are fine and here is why',” said Lapook.

Therefore, it is important to have talks with your doctor.

“Ultimately, you have to be available to these patients … and I love strengthening patients,” said Lapook. “We are now no clinicians in this transition period in which they are not doctors and we have to raise them.”