A study conducted by researchers at the University of New South Wales suggests physicians fail to follow up on tests some of the time.
For the study, researchers conducted a review of 19 studies carried out in the United States. Their research revealed more than 60 percent of physicians failed to follow up on laboratory tests and 36 percent of physicians failed to follow up on radiology reports. Nearly half of emergency medicine physicians in one study believe their colleagues fail to follow up on test results, and 20 percent admitted to that failure themselves.
Researchers suggest sending test results directly to patients to increase shared responsibility between providers and patients.
For the study, researchers conducted a review of 19 studies carried out in the United States. Their research revealed more than 60 percent of physicians failed to follow up on laboratory tests and 36 percent of physicians failed to follow up on radiology reports. Nearly half of emergency medicine physicians in one study believe their colleagues fail to follow up on test results, and 20 percent admitted to that failure themselves.
Researchers suggest sending test results directly to patients to increase shared responsibility between providers and patients.
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