Editorial Policy

Science-Based, Peer-Reviewed Content

Testing.com’s core content is based on current scientific literature and the expertise and practical experience of the Testing.com medical and scientific experts and, as needed, external experts in specific areas of medicine.

Experts from several premier laboratory and medical institutions serve on Testing.com’s Medical Review Board. These professionals review the scientific content on this site. Members include MDs and PhD scientists, lab directors, academic instructors, and other technical specialists. Members of the Medical Review Board share a commitment to promoting better health by improving patient education and health literacy.

Patient-Centered

We aim to give the general public easily understandable information and resources to support their healthcare journey. Patients and their caregivers, family, and friends are our primary audience. This site seeks to educate patients and caregivers about specific laboratory tests and issues related to medical testing, helping them have more informed discussions with their healthcare providers and play an active role in their medical care.

Our goal is to provide clear communication for a diverse audience that encompasses people with different educational backgrounds and with varying degrees of health literacy. The content is written in plain language that is easy to read and understand. We recognize that writing for the public about health issues must take into account various perspectives based on age, gender, sex, economics, culture, behavior, and community.

We also aim for a balanced approach in cases where there are differing views and little or no consensus about testing, so that readers can be better informed when making decisions about medical care.

Gender-Inclusive Language

Testing.com uses gender-inclusive language with the intention of being respectful, accurate, and unbiased towards the groups and individuals who are being described. Our goal is to ensure that readers can find health information that is relevant to their identities and experiences.

We take the approach of using language that includes trans, nonbinary, gender nonconforming, and intersex people in addition to gendered language. This means we use gendered or gender neutral language as well as terms that describe shared anatomical features or physical conditions of the group that is being described.

Testing.com is constantly working to refine our language and resources to achieve our goals of accessibility and inclusivity while providing high-quality, evidence-based information. This includes the process of updating existing content to reflect the most up-to-date health information and the principles of this editorial policy.

Outcomes-Focused

The information provided on Testing.com is aimed at improving patient outcomes by providing people with the information they need to be active participants in their care and to engage their healthcare providers in informed discussions that may result in positive health outcomes.

While the information on Testing.com is intended to aid patients in becoming well-informed, the content is meant to supplement, not replace, the guidance provided by doctors and other healthcare providers. Readers are encouraged to discuss preferences and decisions about medical lab tests as well as test results with a doctor who understands their preferences and personal, family, and medical history.

Relevant and Timely Content

Testing.com strives to provide the latest information on lab testing by routinely developing and adding new content. To ensure timely content, all existing scientific content on the site is reviewed and updated on a regular basis.

Content Creation and Review Process

All scientific content is produced by a team of health and science writers who thoroughly research the topics. Content is routinely updated with research for the latest information on the topic, citing the sources used.

Article drafts are submitted to editors who review them for readability, accuracy, completeness and compliance with health literacy guidelines. They also ensure that the scope of each page is appropriate for the audience. An expert from the Medical Review Board assures that the information provided in the article is scientifically accurate.

Because laboratory science continues to evolve, in some cases, quite rapidly, we require that the most current sources possible are used when preparing new articles or updating existing articles. Experts on specific topics may be consulted when the current literature is inconclusive. We use peer-reviewed sources and other reputable resources, including but not limited to journal articles, medical texts, and government resources. We are transparent about the resources used in the development and review of content by documenting them at the end of each article and providing links to the originals where applicable.

Links to External Sites

For the convenience of Testing.com readers, we provide links to external reputable websites. Testing.com is not responsible for the content on those sites. All external links listed in Testing.com articles as resources and in citations are included because the webpages to which they link are contextually relevant and considered to be from well-regarded resources. Links are periodically checked to determine if they still function and go to the relevant content.

Anyone may suggest a link to us, but it will only be added to the site if it is determined to be relevant to Testing.com users in the context of a given topic and considered to be a credible source. Links to resources are listed in the Sources of a page if they are used in the development or review of a given article.

User Feedback

We take user feedback seriously. If you tell us that some part of the information on this site is wrong, or if something is not sufficiently clear, we will review the section of content in question and take steps to modify it if the medical reviewer agrees that the information was incorrect or unclear. Likewise, if you alert us that a link is not working, we will promptly fix it – and we appreciate you letting us know. To provide feedback, please contact us.