Feasibility Study of Use and Acceptability of New Clear Communication of Lab Test Results (CCLR) Letter for Older Adults

University of Massachusetts, Worcester

Status: Completed

Conditions: Communication

Treatments: Other: Clear Communication of Lab Test Result letter

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06971887

00000965

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Full 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.

Enrollment: 61 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 70+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

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

Trial design

Primary purpose: Health Services Research

Allocation: Non-Randomized

Interventional model: Sequential Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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61 participants in 2 patient groups

Participants received the standard communication letter for result of blood test

No Intervention group

Description:

Providers send their usual result note related to a blood test

Clear Communication of Lab Test Result letter

Experimental group

Description:

Participants received the results of their blood test on the Clear Communication of Lab Test Results (CCLR) letter

Treatment:

Other: Clear Communication of Lab Test Result letter