Home test kit and method with telephone verification of results

A method for self-testing by an individual for a disease or physiological condition, wherein the individual being tested performs the following steps:

• (a) obtaining a sample of physiological fluid from him or herself;
• (b) introducing the sample into an assay system effective to produce a first coded pattern indicative of the presence of the disease or a second coded pattern, different from the first coded pattern in the absence of the disease or physiological condition;
• (c) transmitting the coded pattern resulting from introduction of the sample into the assay system to a remote location for interpretation;
• and
• (d) receiving from the remote location an interpretation of the coded pattern together with any counseling which may be appropriate in view of the interpretation of the coded pattern.

A method for preparing a home test kit for a disease or physiological conditions comprising the steps of:

• (a) assigning an identification number to the kit;
• (b) determining a first coded pattern indicative of a positive result in the test and a second coded pattern indicative of a negative result, said first and second coded patterns being determined based upon the identification number assigned to the kit;
• and
• (c) applying test reagents to a carrier in such a manner that the first coded pattern will be obtained if a positive sample is analyzed with the kit and the second coded pattern will be obtained if a negative sample is analyzed by the kit.