Patient Activation

All patients interviewed prior to the study endorsed the team-based intervention as beneficial. A Patient Advisory Council of six individuals with prior experience of incorrect or delayed diagnosis was convened to inform study communication strategies and outcome measure selection. Patient activation is defined as a patient's knowledge, skills, confidence, and willingness to manage their own healthcare. Pre-study patient interviews identified three recurring barriers: difficulty knowing which provider to contact, trouble understanding laboratory results, and significant effort required to schedule follow-up tests. Technology cannot substitute for patient engagement or ensure timely completion of follow-up diagnostic tests.