National study finds 17% of patients request tests based on social media content, while 93% expect doctors to order tests upon request.
A national survey of 1,000 US patients reveals changing expectations around diagnostic testing, with social media and online research increasingly influencing patient requests for laboratory services.
The YouGov survey, commissioned by Siemens Healthineers, found that 93% of adults who have had lab testing in the past two years expect their doctor to order a lab test upon request. More than one-third (37%) have requested testing based on health-related content from their own research, including family, friends, or internet sources, while 17% have asked for tests based on information learned on social media platforms.
The data shows high patient interest in predictive testing, with 89% expressing interest in lab testing that can predict health risks. Additionally, 27% have pursued blood testing by a trusted lab provider out of curiosity, independent of a doctor’s recommendation, while 22% have taken self-tests such as genetic, DNA, fertility, or testosterone tests out of curiosity.
Trust Gap Emerges in Patient-Provider Relationships
While 95% of patients trust their provider to order appropriate tests, fewer patients (87%) trust their doctor’s guidance when advised against a requested test. The 13% who disagree represent an evolving patient-provider dynamic that challenges physicians to balance patient expectations with evidence-based care.
The survey also revealed concerning communication gaps. Among patients who have pursued testing out of curiosity through home testing or self-prescribed blood testing, nearly half (49%) are not sharing results with a healthcare provider. Additionally, 20% would not disclose to their doctor if they took medical advice from social media.
“It’s clear: Patients want more control over their health and information about their health earlier,” says Michele Zwickl, head of laboratory solutions, diagnostics, Siemens Healthineers North America, in a release. “Every patient deserves access to high-quality, innovative diagnostic testing. Sustained investment in laboratory services advances personalized care and ensures that the promise of predictive health insights becomes a reality.”
High Value Perception Despite Cost Barriers
Despite cost concerns, patients demonstrate strong trust in laboratory testing. Nearly all respondents (98%) say lab results provide meaningful insights into their health, and 94% are more likely to follow a doctor’s advice when backed by test results. When cost is a factor, only 5% would delay bloodwork compared to 22% who would delay imaging.
However, financial barriers persist. Among nearly one-third of respondents with unpaid medical bills, 52% said their debt included unpaid lab testing fees.
Payment Cuts Threaten Access
The survey results come as laboratories face significant payment reductions. US laboratories soon face payment cuts of up to 15% for around 800 laboratory tests, in addition to reductions that already have impacted 72% of commonly used laboratory tests under the Protecting Access to Medicare Act.
Laboratories warn that further cuts will stifle innovation that benefits patient care. The Reforming and Enhancing Sustainable Updates to Laboratory Testing Services Act is gaining support as a potential option to help stabilize payments for laboratory tests and preserve access to quality laboratory services.
The survey findings highlight a growing disconnect between increasing patient expectations for on-demand testing and the financial pressures facing laboratory providers, potentially widening the gap between what patients expect and what testing providers can reasonably deliver.
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