The Usability of Homelab, a Digital Self-service at a Dutch General Practice, for Diagnostic Tests: Pilot Study With a Questionnaire

Background eHealth potentially can make health care more accessible and efficient and help reduce the workload in primary health care. Homelab is an eHealth tool implemented in a general practice environment, and it offers relatively simple laboratory diagnostic tests without the referral of the general practitioner. After logging in this eHealth tool, patients select and order a diagnostic test based on their symptoms. The test results are presented online to the general practitioner and the patient. Objective This study aims to evaluate the use, usability, and user characteristics of Homelab. Further, it aims to evaluate whether Homelab replaces an appointment with the general practitioner. Methods Homelab has been implemented since May 2021 as a pilot in a Dutch general practice. The number of requests and the ordered diagnostic packages are monitored. After using Homelab, patients are invited to complete a short questionnaire. The questionnaire contains demographic questions and assesses usability using the System Usability Scale (10 items). In addition, questions about requesting an appointment with the general practitioner without Homelab are included. All data were anonymous. Results The questionnaire was filled by 74 individual patients. The mean age of the patients was 40.33 (SD 12.11) years, and half of them were females (39/74, 53%). The majority of the patients were highly educated (56/74, 76%) and employed (53/74, 72%). Approximately 81% (60/74) of the patients reported that they would use Homelab again in the future and 66% (49/74) reported that they would have gone to the general practitioner if they had not used Homelab. The usability of Homelab was perceived higher by the younger age group (mean 73.96, SD 14.74) than by the older age group (mean 61.59, SD 14.37). In total, 106 test packages were ordered over 1 year, and the most requested diagnostic package was “Am I still healthy? I want to do my annual health checkup.” Homelab was used the most during the months of the COVID-19 lockdown. Conclusions The use of Homelab, a digital self-service for ordering diagnostic tests, was monitored in this study, and its usability was perceived as above average. Our findings showed that patients are willing to use Homelab in the future and they would use it most of the time as a replacement for regular consultations. Homelab offers opportunities for more accessible and efficient health care for both the patient and the general practitioner.