opinion

Patients put themselves at risk when they interpret lab results

LETTER — Posted Oct. 31, 2011

Print  |   Email  |   Respond  |   Reprints  |   Like Facebook  |   Share Twitter  |   Tweet Linkedin

Regarding "HHS wants to give patients test results straight from lab" (Article, Oct. 3): While I wouldn't argue with letting patients directly receive their test results, the good intentions of those behind this effort are paving a smooth road to somewhere for patients and doctors.

Several years ago, a patient with a solitary lump in her breast was referred by her primary care doctor for mammography. By law, the results of the patient's mammogram were sent directly to her. The results were "normal." Armed with this knowledge, she canceled her follow-up appointment and surfaced months later with her enlarging breast cancer. I guess she didn't feel the need to check the rate of false negative mammograms on the Internet. This normal result served to aid and abet her in her denial of the possibility that she might have cancer and delayed her treatment.

Since then, I've had other patients surf the Internet with a little knowledge, a lab result and/or a symptom and then come in to tell me that they had "diagnosed" themselves with some cancer or obscure disease before scheduling an appointment with me to help them sort things out.

I always make the observation that having a medical degree, over five years of postgraduate medical training and over 25 years as a general surgeon is a useful filter to sort through reams of confusing and sometimes seemingly contradictory information. Unfortunately, too many policymakers lack a vision of the real world and unleash confusion and consternation for us and our patients rather than real knowledge and power.

Harold L. Kent, MD, Brunswick, Ga.

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/10/31/edlt1031.htm.

Back to top


ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISE HERE


Featured
Read story

Confronting bias against obese patients

Medical educators are starting to raise awareness about how weight-related stigma can impair patient-physician communication and the treatment of obesity. Read story


Read story

Goodbye

American Medical News is ceasing publication after 55 years of serving physicians by keeping them informed of their rapidly changing profession. Read story


Read story

Policing medical practice employees after work

Doctors can try to regulate staff actions outside the office, but they must watch what they try to stamp out and how they do it. Read story


Read story

Diabetes prevention: Set on a course for lifestyle change

The YMCA's evidence-based program is helping prediabetic patients eat right, get active and lose weight. Read story


Read story

Medicaid's muddled preventive care picture

The health system reform law promises no-cost coverage of a lengthy list of screenings and other prevention services, but some beneficiaries still might miss out. Read story


Read story

How to get tax breaks for your medical practice

Federal, state and local governments offer doctors incentives because practices are recognized as economic engines. But physicians must know how and where to find them. Read story


Read story

Advance pay ACOs: A down payment on Medicare's future

Accountable care organizations that pay doctors up-front bring practice improvements, but it's unclear yet if program actuaries will see a return on investment. Read story


Read story

Physician liability: Your team, your legal risk

When health care team members drop the ball, it's often doctors who end up in court. How can physicians improve such care and avoid risks? Read story

  • Stay informed
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • LinkedIn