Why are the results of testing sent directly to the referring physician rather than the patient or parent of a patient?
Genetic testing is usually performed as a tool to help the physician make a diagnosis or to help a physician manage a patients health care. Because the results of genetic testing may lead to additional testing, it is best for the physician to receive the results so that an appropriate plan for the care of the patient can be determined. In addition, the results of genetic testing can sometimes be complicated and difficult to understand. In most cases it is best to report the results to a healthcare professional who has both a relationship with and the time to explain such results to the patient or patients parents.
Massachusetts state law requires genetic tests to be ordered by healthcare providers and the results of those tests can only be returned to the ordering provider, unless we receive permission from the healthcare provider to release the results directly to the patient. Genetic testing is usually performed as a tool to help the physician make a diagnosis or to help a physician manage a patient’s health care. The results of genetic testing may lead to additional testing, and therefore, it is best for the physician to receive the results so that an appropriate plan for the care of the patient can be determined. In addition, the results of genetic testing can sometimes be complicated and difficult to understand. In most cases it is best to report the results to a healthcare professional who has both a relationship with and the time to explain such results to the patient or patient’s parents. However, once the results of testing have been discussed with the patient, through a healthcare prov
