Consumers are becoming more open to using at-home blood tests

The trend: Many patients are willing to try at-home diagnostic blood tests—especially if the self-collection sample process is convenient and painless, according to a recent survey from Tasso. Tasso, which sells at-home blood collection solutions, surveyed 600 US adults in June 2024.

Blood test barriers: About one-third of consumers acknowledge that they have put off completing blood tests that a clinician prescribes for them.

The top reasons people have put off getting a blood test:

• Time and travel. Scheduling time for a clinic visit is the top reported reason for delaying a prescribed blood test. 69% are unwilling to travel more than 10 miles from home to get the test.
• Anxiety. 78% of respondents report some level of anxiety associated with having their blood drawn.
• Fear of needles. 37% of respondents fear needles.

Why it matters: Laboratory test results influence approximately 70% of medical decisions, according to the CDC. Avoiding prescribed blood tests could result in missed or delayed diagnoses.

The opportunity for at-home blood testing companies: Many consumers are willing to purchase lab tests online and collect samples at home.

Companies in this market must ensure it’s a pain-free experience.

• 74% of respondents are interested in using painless home blood collection technology to complete a prescribed blood test.
• Among folks who feel pain from venipuncture blood collection, 76% will pay out of pocket to reduce the pain level.

The other side: At-home blood test makers are still contending with a range of challenges preventing them from capturing more market share from incumbents.

• About one-third of physicians are concerned with the accuracy of at-home diagnostic tests, per a recent ixlayer survey conducted by the DHC Group and Sermo.
• Some at-home tests may not be FDA-approved, unlike what’s offered at LabCorp or Quest.
• And there’s a learning curve. Despite being more convenient, consumers might be unsure how to correctly conduct at-home medical tests.

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