Would you like to see health test results online?

Prostate cancer patients can avoid anxious waits to visit their doctor by seeing test results online as soon as they are available under a new model for after-care.

Men can take control of their own care, and free up vital NHS time as a result, Prostate Cancer UK said after a report on a trial at a number of health trusts showed promising results.

As well as being able to get their results online, people can complete assessments, see their patient information and message their clinical team as part of the digital approach to after-care trialled by researchers from the University of Southampton.

While there had been initial concerns about patients having access to results before clinicians had assessed them, the project appeared to show that even if the results were abnormal, those involved were not adversely affected, researchers said.

The model of care requires a new support worker in order to help men without adding to demands on clinical staff, a workshop to ensure men fully understand the scheme and their treatment, and an IT service allowing them to access their test results remotely.

Eric Hounslow, who was part of the trial, said he sometimes had to wait a week or more to get test results.

The 72-year-old, from Romsey, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2015, said: “Now I can give my blood at 9am and have the results later that day, saving me from all that stress every six months.

“As someone who has experienced both systems, I’d recommend this scheme to anyone.”

Prostate Cancer UK and the Movember Foundation are now urging all health trusts to use the new approach, saying it will allow for good quality care while cutting costs to the NHS.

Lesley Smith, of NHS England, said: “This scheme is a great example of innovations that local areas can adopt which allow men to take control of their own follow up care.”

Prostate Cancer UK’s Heather Blake said: “This research is a major achievement, proving that this remote, digital and self-managed model can deliver a high quality of care for men, while also giving Clinical Nurse Specialists and consultants more time to focus on newly-diagnosed men.

What do you think? Would you welcome being able to access health test results online to hear your results faster? Or would you prefer a doctor to share your results with you so you can receive a better level of personal care?  Share your views at Speakers Corner.