Clinic or sofa?
Patients prefer blood sampling at home
How do patients prefer to have their blood samples taken – at the clinic or at home on the sofa?
This question was posed by the independent, non-profit group PCSIG in a clinical study testing a new and simple method of blood sampling.
The method requires only a few drops of blood and can be performed both at home and in a clinic. The results point clearly in one direction: Patients prefer home-based blood sampling.
PiCC United has followed the project closely. We have had the pleasure of following the project closely from the sidelines – and we see it as a strong example of how patients can be actively and respectfully involved in the development of more flexible and user-friendly solutions in healthcare.
About the study
The study was conducted with two equal groups:
- One group attended three blood sampling sessions at a clinic over a period of three months.
- The other group took three samples themselves at home during the same period. None of the participants knew that an alternative option was available, which provided a more neutral basis for comparison.
Results
- More people agreed to participate when the samples could be taken at home
- Faster recruitment – it was easier to find participants for home sampling
- More people submitted all samples in the home group
- Participants also clearly stated that if blood samples need to be taken once or several times a day, then home is clearly the best option.
An important step towards patient-centred healthcare
The study supports a growing trend that we are also seeing at PiCC United: More patients want flexible and user-friendly solutions that respect their everyday lives and needs. When given the choice, patients increasingly prefer healthcare services at home – especially when it comes to repeated tests and measurements.
We have attached PCSIG’s infographic below, which visualises the study’s progress and results.
Download infographic here. You can read more about PCSIG and their work here.