Accessible Results Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Accessible Results: enabling patients with diverse needs to access and understand their blood test results online
IRAS ID
349062
Contact name
Jessica Watson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Bristol
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
BACKGROUND
NHS England has introduced ways for patients to see their test results online through the NHS App and other platforms. Making these results easy to access and understand is important because it could improve patient engagement. It could also lead to patient anxiety and could mean more patients contact their GP practices increasing their workload.
Patients need to know what to do next when they receive a test result; if this is not communicated well then patients could come to harm. It is important to make sure that all patients can understand their test result, and that no groups are disadvantaged by the move to online test result communication.
AIMS
The aim of this research is to develop tools and guidance to help patients with a wide range of needs to access and understand their online blood test results.
METHODS
We will use the ‘person-based approach’, which is an established method for engaging diverse users in developing health interventions. The project will involve the following work packages:
Work Package 1: Interviews with patients, carers and staff to understand their needs.
Work Package 2: Workshops to co-design draft tools and guidance.
Work Package 3: Testing and improving the tools and guidance.
The final result will be a set of resources to help improve how patients access test results, which might include:
Tools to make test results easier to understand online
Suggested language for clinicians when commenting on results
Posters or leaflets to help patients understand their results
Resources for patients with specific needs to help them navigate their results online
We have and will continue to involve a diverse group of patient and public involvement and engagement contributors. They will be involved in every phase of the research including co-production of the tools for test communication.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/NW/0385
Date of REC Opinion
30 Dec 2024
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion