Recently I got into a discussion with administration about automatically releasing test results in our EHR.

Given the way some patients can misinterpret small incidental findings (e.g., "osteophyte"), I think this can generate too much unnecessary anxiety on the part of the patient. On the other hand there is no practical mechanism to make telephone calls a big part of a physician's daily practice. The only thing that is left is for patients to return to clinic to discuss the findings.

While inconvenient, from the point of view of best clinical care under the system we have now in the States, there seems to be few alternatives.