A Patient-Engagement Tool to Aid Older Adults' Understanding of Lab Test Results

As the healthcare system becomes more digitized, there is an increasing need to engage patients directly in managing their own health. Tools like patient portals allow people to access their lab results, doctor’s notes, and medication lists from home. While these tools hold great potential, many older adults, especially those with multiple chronic conditions, face difficulties when it comes to understanding and using this information effectively.

LabGenie – an innovative web-based tool designed specifically for older adults to improve how they interact with their lab test results. LabGenie goes beyond simply displaying information – it provides easy-to-understand visualizations and personalized, AI-generated question prompts that guide patients in understanding their health data and making informed decisions with their healthcare providers. 

LabGenie is designed to simplify the complex world of lab results for older adults:

• Interactive Visuals: Complex lab results are transformed into clear, visual representations that make understanding the data easier.
• AI-Powered Question Generation: Using patient data from electronic health records and a specialized knowledge graph, LabGenie generates personalized questions to help patients make sense of their results.
• Tailored to Older Adults: The design and functionality of LabGenie are crafted specifically to meet the needs of older patients with limited health literacy or technology skills.

We’re using a user-centered design approach throughout the development of LabGenie:

• Aim 1: Rapid prototyping and usability testing with real users to refine the interface and ensure it meets the needs of older adults.
• Aim 2: Development of the AI-powered module to generate tailored, context-specific question prompts.
• Aim 3: Evaluation of the tool’s impact on patient engagement, self-efficacy, and participation in shared decision-making with their healthcare team.
• Aim 4: Mixed methods research to assess the overall usability, usefulness, and effectiveness of LabGenie in a clinical setting. We’ll also gather feedback from healthcare providers to ensure LabGenie complements, rather than disrupts, clinical workflows. 

LabGenie is not just another tool – it’s a bridge between patients and the healthcare system:

• Promoting Engagement: By making lab results more accessible and understandable, patients can take a more active role in their health decisions.
• Reducing Burden: For caregivers and healthcare providers, tools like LabGenie can ease communication and improve patient comprehension, reducing misunderstandings and enhancing follow-up care.
• Improving Health Outcomes: The ultimate goal of LabGenie is to empower older adults to make informed health decisions, leading to better management of chronic conditions and overall well-being.

LABGenie Project is supported by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality R21/R33 (PA-21-164: Using Innovative Digital Healthcare Solutions to Improve Quality at the Point of Care).