This course explains how to build and work within a safe system for test results in general practice, from requesting a test to making sure the patient knows the outcome and the follow-up happens. It covers filing decisions, abnormal and urgent results, communicating with patients, and how results are lost, with worked examples and a case study with weak and strong reflections.
What you will learn
- Describe the full test results cycle, from request to completed follow-up, and identify where results are commonly lost.
- Make safe filing decisions on normal, abnormal and borderline results, documenting a clear action for each.
- Respond appropriately to urgent and critical results, including those communicated out of hours.
- Communicate abnormal results to patients clearly and check that follow-up has happened.
- Reflect on a results incident and plan personal and practice-level improvements with evidence.
Course content
- Why results management matters (2 min)
- The results cycle and where it breaks (4 min)
- Reviewing and filing results safely (4 min)
- Urgent and critical results (2 min)
- Communicating results to patients (4 min)
- Case study and reflection (3 min)
- Building a safer system and remediation plan (1 min)
- Knowledge check (10 questions, 10 min)
- Guided reflection (15 min)
Standards and guidance covered
- GMC: Good Medical Practice (2024), including the duties on following up investigations, record keeping and working with colleagues
- NMC: The Code (2015, updated 2018), including the sections on record keeping, preserving safety and working within your competence
- CQC: Regulation 12 (safe care and treatment) and Regulation 17 (good governance) of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014
- CQC: GP mythbusters and guidance on managing test results
- NICE: Suspected cancer: recognition and referral (NG12)
- Royal College of General Practitioners: guidance and toolkits on patient safety in general practice
Certificate
Courses are free to study. When you pass the knowledge check (80%) and complete your reflection, you can buy a verified certificate showing your CPD time, with a unique ID and QR code that anyone can check on our verification page.
Study free at your own pace on any device.
Practitioner Insight is an independent education provider. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the GMC, MPTS, NMC, HCPC, GPhC or any NHS organisation, and this information is not legal advice. If you have been referred to a regulator, speak to your defence organisation, trade union or legal representative.