Patient-Centered Reports Reduce Anxiety

A recent study published in JAMA emphasizes the pressing need for clarity in medical reporting to mitigate patient anxiety regarding test results. Following the enactment of a provision in the 21st Century Cures Act in April 2021, patients now have direct access to their medical test results as soon as they are available. This shift, although intended to promote transparency, has inadvertently amplified patients' concerns, particularly when they encounter complex medical terminology before consulting their healthcare providers.

The Challenge of Understanding Medical Reports

According to Dr. Cathryn Lapedis of the Department of Pathology at the University of Michigan Health, standard medical reports, especially pathology reports, are typically crafted for healthcare professionals rather than patients. This misunderstanding can lead to confusion and heightened anxiety among individuals seeking to comprehend their health status. Dr. Lapedis explains, “A standard pathology report may use terms like prostatic adenocarcinoma, but a more patient-centered report would simply state 'prostate cancer.'” This simplification is crucial for making the information accessible.

Study Overview

In the study, Lapedis and her colleagues investigated whether patients could understand standard pathology reports and evaluated the efficacy of a patient-centered report format. They enrolled 2,238 adults aged 55 to 84, with no prior history of prostate cancer, who were presented with hypothetical scenarios involving troubling urinary symptoms leading to a biopsy.

The participants were divided into three groups and given one of the following report types:

• Standard University report
• Standard VA report
• Patient-centered pathology report

Following the review, they were assessed on their ability to identify their diagnosis, Gleason score, and their level of worry regarding the test results.

Study Findings

The results highlighted a stark contrast in comprehension between the different report formats:

From these findings, it was evident that most participants using standard reports struggled with basic identification of their diagnosis. Notably, only 39% of those reviewing the standard University report recognized that it indicated cancer, contrasted with an impressive 93% accuracy among those receiving the patient-centered report. Furthermore, the anxiety levels displayed a significant association with the risk levels when patients were informed via the patient-centered format.

Recommendations for Healthcare Systems

Dr. Lapedis advocates for integrating patient-centered pathology reports alongside traditional reports, highlighting their potential to significantly enhance patient understanding and alleviate worry. She states, “We recommend that hospital systems consider including patient-centered pathology reports with standard reports to improve patient understanding.” Additionally, she encourages patients to engage in discussions with their healthcare providers regarding what to look for in their reports even prior to receiving test results.

Moving Forward

The implementation of clearer, more understandable medical communication is essential as patients navigate their healthcare journeys. The transition to patient-centered reports could play a pivotal role in improving health literacy and reducing patient distress.

References

[1] Lapedis, C. J. et al. (2025). Knowledge and Worry Following Review of Standard vs Patient-Centered Pathology Reports, _JAMA_.

[2] Lifespan.io