Medical technology patient portal (© woravut - stock.adobe.com)
NEW YORK — Americans seem to have a love/hate relationship with their online healthcare platforms (or portals) that many doctors use to issue lab results and keep track of patient information. Although patient portals offer numerous benefits, such as improved health outcomes and engagement in care, the majority of Americans do not utilize these online platforms or even bother creating an account. However, researchers say low portal usage can’t be solely attributed to patient preferences or lack of internet access.
The research, led by Dr. Naheed Ahmed from NYU Grossman School of Medicine, suggests having health insurance and establishing a relationship with a primary care provider (PCP) play key roles in patient portal adoption.
“Our findings suggest that access to healthcare along with ongoing patient health needs influence usage of patient portal platforms,” notes Dr. Ahmed in a media release.
To explore the factors impacting portal usage, Dr. Ahmed and his team conducted an online survey using Amazon’s Mechanical Turk crowdsourcing platform. Participants answered questions about their use of online patient portals, health status, technology access, and health literacy.
Analysis of the survey responses revealed notable differences between patients who used online portals and those who did not. Portal users were more likely to reside in urban areas and have higher levels of education. Non-users cited a lack of awareness and technical issues as reasons for not having an account.
The study also found that having health insurance and ongoing health needs were significant factors influencing portal adoption. Patients with a primary care provider were five times more likely to have a patient portal account, while those without insurance were significantly less likely to use the portal. Patients with disabilities or comorbid conditions were more inclined to have an account, potentially due to their frequent medical appointments and desire to stay connected with their healthcare team.
Moreover, patient portal users exhibited higher self-efficacy in managing health issues and held positive attitudes toward media and technology. Surprisingly, non-users demonstrated higher health literacy scores.
The findings underscore the importance of health insurance coverage and ongoing health needs as determinants of patient portal usage. Establishing a relationship with a primary care provider can facilitate patient adoption of portals, enabling them to remain engaged and connected with their healthcare team. Patient portals offer a convenient means of communication, empowering individuals to actively manage their health and participate in their care journey.
By addressing barriers to portal usage and promoting awareness among patients, healthcare providers can foster greater engagement and leverage the potential benefits of patient portal platforms. Improved access to online healthcare resources has the potential to transform healthcare delivery and enhance patient outcomes.
The study is published in the journal Medical Care.
