Should Patients Get Direct Access to Their Laboratory Test Results? An Answer With Many Questions.

The authors offers insight on whether patients should get direct access to their laboratory test results and the potential effects of this approach. They raise concern on the unlikelihood for patients to receive any coaching or personalized information on interpretation of results, and on patient responsibility for follow-up. They point out the importance of face-to-face communication with the physician to help interpret laboratory results, especially for patients with mental health conditions.