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Kouzy R, Bitterman DS. Improving Patient Engagement: Is There a Role for Large Language Models? Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2024; 120:639-641. [PMID: 39326949 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2024.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Ramez Kouzy
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The UT-MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Danielle S Bitterman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Brigham and Women's Hospital/Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Artificial Intelligence in Medicine Program, Mass General Brigham, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
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Trang K, Decker HC, Gonzalez A, Pierce L, Shui AM, Melton-Meaux GB, Wick EC. Electronic Surgical Consent Delivery Via Patient Portal to Improve Perioperative Efficiency. JAMA Surg 2024:2823530. [PMID: 39259530 PMCID: PMC11391357 DOI: 10.1001/jamasurg.2024.3581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/13/2024]
Abstract
Importance Many health systems use electronic consent (eConsent) for surgery, but few have used surgical consent functionality in the patient portal (PP). Incorporating the PP into the consent process could potentially improve efficiency by letting patients independently review and sign their eConsent before the day of surgery. Objective To evaluate the association of eConsent delivery via the PP with operational efficiency and patient engagement. Design, Setting, and Participants This mixed-methods study consisted of a retrospective quantitative analysis (February 8 to August 8, 2023) and a qualitative analysis of semistructured patient interviews (December 1, 2023, to January 31, 2024) of adult surgical patients in a health system that implemented surgical eConsent. Statistical analysis was performed between September 1, 2023, and June 6, 2024. Main Outcomes and Measures Patient demographics, efficiency metrics (first-start case delays), and PP access logs were analyzed from electronic health records. Qualitative outcomes included thematic analysis from semistructured patient interviews. Results In the PP-eligible cohort of 7672 unique patients, 8478 surgical eConsents were generated (median [IQR] age, 58 [43-70] years; 4611 [54.4%] women), of which 5318 (62.7%) were signed on hospital iPads and 3160 (37.3%) through the PP. For all adult patients who signed an eConsent using the PP, patients waited a median (IQR) of 105 (17-528) minutes to view their eConsent after it was electronically pushed to their PP. eConsents signed on the same day of surgery were associated with more first-start delays (odds ratio, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.37-1.83; P < .001). Themes that emerged from patient interviews included having a favorable experience with the PP, openness to eConsent, skimming the consent form, and the importance of the discussion with the surgeon. Conclusions and Relevance These findings suggest that eConsent incorporating PP functionality may reduce surgical delays and staff burden by allowing patients to review and sign before the day of surgery. Most patients spent minimal time engaging with their consent form, emphasizing the importance of surgeon-patient trust and an informed consent discussion. Additional studies are needed to understand patient perceptions of eConsent, PP, and barriers to increased uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Trang
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Hannah C Decker
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco
| | | | - Logan Pierce
- Division of Hospital Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Amy M Shui
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Genevieve B Melton-Meaux
- Department of Surgery, Institute for Health Informatics, and Center for Learning Health System Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
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Aschbrenner KA, Haines ER, Kruse GR, Olugbenga AO, Thomas AN, Khan T, Martinez S, Emmons KM, Bartels SJ. Applying cognitive walkthrough methodology to improve the usability of an equity-focused implementation strategy. Implement Sci Commun 2024; 5:95. [PMID: 39227912 PMCID: PMC11373107 DOI: 10.1186/s43058-024-00630-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/18/2024] [Indexed: 09/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Our research team partnered with primary care and quality improvement staff in Federally Qualified Community Health Centers (CHCs) to develop Partnered and Equity Data-Driven Implementation (PEDDI) to promote equitable implementation of evidence-based interventions. The current study used a human-centered design methodology to evaluate the usability of PEDDI and generate redesign solutions to address usability issues in the context of a cancer screening intervention. METHODS We applied the Cognitive Walkthrough for Implementation Strategies (CWIS), a pragmatic assessment method with steps that include group testing with end users to identify and prioritize usability problems. We conducted three facilitated 60-min CWIS sessions with end users (N = 7) from four CHCs that included scenarios and related tasks for implementing a colorectal cancer (CRC) screening intervention. Participants rated the likelihood of completing each task and identified usability issues and generated ideas for redesign solutions during audio-recorded CWIS sessions. Participants completed a pre-post survey of PEDDI usability. Our research team used consensus coding to synthesize usability problems and redesign solutions from transcribed CWIS sessions. RESULTS Usability ratings (scale 0-100: higher scores indicating higher usability) of PEDDI averaged 66.3 (SD = 12.4) prior to the CWIS sessions. Scores averaged 77.8 (SD = 9.1) following the three CWIS sessions improving usability ratings from "marginal acceptability" to "acceptable". Ten usability problems were identified across four PEDDI tasks, comprised of 2-3 types of usability problems per task. CWIS participants suggested redesign solutions that included making data fields for social determinants of health and key background variables for identifying health equity targets mandatory in the electronic health record and using asynchronous communication tools to elicit ideas from staff for adaptations. CONCLUSIONS Usability ratings indicated PEDDI was in the acceptable range following CWIS sessions. Staff identified usability problems and redesign solutions that provide direction for future improvements in PEDDI. In addition, this study highlights opportunities to use the CWIS methodology to address inequities in the implementation of cancer screening and other clinical innovations in resource-constrained healthcare settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly A Aschbrenner
- Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH, 03756, USA.
- Dartmouth Health Merrimack Family Practice, 294 Daniel Webster Highway, Merrimack, NH, 03054, USA.
| | - Emily R Haines
- Wake Forest University School of Medicine, 525 Vine Street, Winston-Salem, NC, 27101, USA
| | - Gina R Kruse
- Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 13001 E 17th PL, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Ayotola O Olugbenga
- Brockton Neighborhood Health Center, 63 Main Street, Brockton, MA, 02301, USA
| | - Annette N Thomas
- Brockton Neighborhood Health Center, 63 Main Street, Brockton, MA, 02301, USA
| | - Tanveer Khan
- Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center, 632 Blue Hill Ave, Dorchester, MA, 02121, USA
| | | | - Karen M Emmons
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Stephen J Bartels
- Massachusetts General Hospital, 125 Nashua St, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- The Mongan Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, 100 Cambridge Street Suite 1600, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
- Harvard Medical School, 25 ShaAuck Street, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
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Raper AC, Weathers BL, Drivas TG, Ellis CA, Kripke CM, Oyer RA, Owens AT, Verma A, Wileyto PE, Wollack CC, Zhou W, Ritchie MD, Schnoll RA, Nathanson KL. Protocol for a type 3 hybrid implementation cluster randomized clinical trial to evaluate the effect of patient and clinician nudges to advance the use of genomic medicine across a diverse health system. Implement Sci 2024; 19:61. [PMID: 39160614 PMCID: PMC11331805 DOI: 10.1186/s13012-024-01385-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 07/14/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Germline genetic testing is recommended for an increasing number of conditions with underlying genetic etiologies, the results of which impact medical management. However, genetic testing is underutilized in clinics due to system, clinician, and patient level barriers. Behavioral economics provides a framework to create implementation strategies, such as nudges, to address these multi-level barriers and increase the uptake of genetic testing for conditions where the results impact medical management. METHODS Patients meeting eligibility for germline genetic testing for a group of conditions will be identified using electronic phenotyping algorithms. A pragmatic, type 3 hybrid cluster randomization study will test nudges to patients and/or clinicians, or neither. Clinicians who receive nudges will be prompted to either refer their patient to genetics or order genetic testing themselves. We will use rapid cycle approaches informed by clinician and patient experiences, health equity, and behavioral economics to optimize these nudges before trial initiation. The primary implementation outcome is uptake of germline genetic testing for the pre-selected health conditions. Patient data collected through the electronic health record (e.g. demographics, geocoded address) will be examined as moderators of the effect of nudges. DISCUSSION This study will be one of the first randomized trials to examine the effects of patient- and clinician-directed nudges informed by behavioral economics on uptake of genetic testing. The pragmatic design will facilitate a large and diverse patient sample, allow for the assessment of genetic testing uptake, and provide comparison of the effect of different nudge combinations. This trial also involves optimization of patient identification, test selection, ordering, and result reporting in an electronic health record-based infrastructure to further address clinician-level barriers to utilizing genomic medicine. The findings may help determine the impact of low-cost, sustainable implementation strategies that can be integrated into health care systems to improve the use of genomic medicine. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT06377033. Registered on March 31, 2024. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06377033?term=NCT06377033&rank=1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna C Raper
- Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Benita L Weathers
- Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Theodore G Drivas
- Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Colin A Ellis
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Colleen Morse Kripke
- Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Randall A Oyer
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Anjali T Owens
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Anurag Verma
- Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Paul E Wileyto
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Colin C Wollack
- Information Services Applications, Penn Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Wenting Zhou
- Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Marylyn D Ritchie
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Robert A Schnoll
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Nicotine Addiction, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Katherine L Nathanson
- Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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Matthews AK, Steffen AD, Akufo J, Burke L, Diaz H, Dodd D, Hughes A, Madrid S, Onyiapat E, Opuada H, Sejo J, Vilona B, Williams BJ, Donenberg G. Factors Associated with Uptake of Patient Portals at a Federally Qualified Health Care Center. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:1505. [PMID: 39120208 PMCID: PMC11311389 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12151505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2024] [Revised: 07/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/28/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Federally qualified health centers (FQHC) aim to improve cancer prevention by providing screening options and efforts to prevent harmful behavior. Patient portals are increasingly being used to deliver health promotion initiatives. However, little is known about patient portal activation rates in FQHC settings and the factors associated with activation. This study examined patient portal activation among FQHC patients and assessed correlations with demographic, clinical, and health service use variables. We analyzed electronic health record data from adults >18 years old with at least one appointment. Data were accessed from the electronic health records for patients seen between 1 September 2018 and 31 August 2022 (n = 40,852 patients). We used multivariate logistic regression models to examine the correlates of having an activated EPIC-supported MyChart patient portal account. One-third of patients had an activated MyChart portal account. Overall, 35% of patients with an activated account had read at least one portal message, 69% used the portal to schedule an appointment, and 90% viewed lab results. Demographic and clinical factors associated with activation included younger age, female sex, white race, English language, being partnered, privately insured, non-smoking, and diagnosed with a chronic disease. More frequent healthcare visits were also associated with an activated account. Whether or not a patient had an email address in the EHR yielded the strongest association with patient portal activation. Overall, 39% of patients did not have an email address; only 2% of those patients had activated their accounts, compared to 54% of those with an email address. Patient portal activation rates were modest and associated with demographic, clinical, and healthcare utilization factors. Patient portal usage to manage one's healthcare needs is increasing nationally. As such, FQHC clinics should enhance efforts to improve the uptake and usage of patient portals, including educational campaigns and eliminating email requirements for portal activation, to reinforce cancer prevention efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia K. Matthews
- Department of Population Health Nursing, College of Nursing, The University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (A.D.S.); (J.A.); (L.B.); (H.D.); (D.D.); (S.M.); (E.O.); (H.O.); (B.V.)
| | - Alana D. Steffen
- Department of Population Health Nursing, College of Nursing, The University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (A.D.S.); (J.A.); (L.B.); (H.D.); (D.D.); (S.M.); (E.O.); (H.O.); (B.V.)
| | - Jennifer Akufo
- Department of Population Health Nursing, College of Nursing, The University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (A.D.S.); (J.A.); (L.B.); (H.D.); (D.D.); (S.M.); (E.O.); (H.O.); (B.V.)
| | - Larisa Burke
- Department of Population Health Nursing, College of Nursing, The University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (A.D.S.); (J.A.); (L.B.); (H.D.); (D.D.); (S.M.); (E.O.); (H.O.); (B.V.)
| | - Hilda Diaz
- Department of Population Health Nursing, College of Nursing, The University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (A.D.S.); (J.A.); (L.B.); (H.D.); (D.D.); (S.M.); (E.O.); (H.O.); (B.V.)
| | - Darcy Dodd
- Department of Population Health Nursing, College of Nursing, The University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (A.D.S.); (J.A.); (L.B.); (H.D.); (D.D.); (S.M.); (E.O.); (H.O.); (B.V.)
| | - Ashley Hughes
- Department of Biomedical and Health Information Science, The University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA;
| | - Samantha Madrid
- Department of Population Health Nursing, College of Nursing, The University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (A.D.S.); (J.A.); (L.B.); (H.D.); (D.D.); (S.M.); (E.O.); (H.O.); (B.V.)
| | - Enuma Onyiapat
- Department of Population Health Nursing, College of Nursing, The University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (A.D.S.); (J.A.); (L.B.); (H.D.); (D.D.); (S.M.); (E.O.); (H.O.); (B.V.)
| | - Hope Opuada
- Department of Population Health Nursing, College of Nursing, The University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (A.D.S.); (J.A.); (L.B.); (H.D.); (D.D.); (S.M.); (E.O.); (H.O.); (B.V.)
| | - Jessica Sejo
- College of Medicine, The University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (J.S.); (G.D.)
| | - Brittany Vilona
- Department of Population Health Nursing, College of Nursing, The University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (A.D.S.); (J.A.); (L.B.); (H.D.); (D.D.); (S.M.); (E.O.); (H.O.); (B.V.)
| | | | - Geri Donenberg
- College of Medicine, The University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (J.S.); (G.D.)
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Wan S, Powers JD, Kutner JS, Fischer SM, Knoepke CE, Portz JD. Association Between Patient Portal Activities and End-of-Life Outcomes Among Deceased Patients in the Last 12 Months of Life. J Palliat Med 2024; 27:916-921. [PMID: 38904086 PMCID: PMC11339548 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2023.0610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the association between portal use and end-of-life (EOL) outcomes in the last year of life. Methods: A retrospective cohort (n = 6,517) study at Kaiser Permanente Colorado among adults with serious illness deceased between January 1, 2016, and June 30, 2019. Portal use was categorized into engagement types: no use, nonactive, active without a provider, and active with a provider. EOL outcomes were hospitalizations in the month before death, last-year advance directive completion, and hospice use. Association between EOL outcomes and levels of portal use was assessed using χ2 statistics and generalized linear models. Results: Higher portal engagement types were associated with higher rates of hospitalizations (p = 0.0492), advance directive completion (p = 0.0226), and hospice use (p = 0.0070). Conclusion: Portal use in the last year of life was associated with increases in a poor EOL outcome, hospitalizations, and beneficial EOL outcomes, advance directives, and hospice care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaowei Wan
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - J. David Powers
- Institute for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Jean S. Kutner
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Stacy M. Fischer
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Christopher E. Knoepke
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Jennifer Dickman Portz
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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Senft Everson N, Jensen RE, Vanderpool RC. Disparities in Telehealth Offer and Use among U.S. Adults: 2022 Health Information National Trends Survey. Telemed J E Health 2024. [PMID: 38934145 DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2024.0014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective: Understanding the sources of telehealth disparities can inform efforts to ensure equity. This study examines disparities in telehealth offer and use to understand the role of health care providers in increasing telehealth access. Methods: This cross-sectional analysis of the 2022 Health Information National Trends Survey (n = 5,295) used survey-weighted proportions to characterize telehealth use and multivariable logistic regressions to test associations of sociodemographic and social determinants with (1) telehealth offer and (2) use among those offered the option. Results: Among U.S. adults, 57% were offered telehealth, 80% of whom used it. Technology difficulties and privacy concerns were barriers for 15%-20% of U.S. adults. Compared to telehealth users, most nonusers preferred in-person care (25% versus 84%). Age, education, geographic location, and broadband internet access were related to telehealth offer, whereas no significant disparities emerged in telehealth use. Conclusions: Telehealth use is widespread, but structural and provider-level engagement are needed to achieve equity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Senft Everson
- Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Roxanne E Jensen
- Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Robin C Vanderpool
- Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland, USA
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Muniyappa A, Weia B, Ling N, O'Brien J, Tamerat M, Soulsby WD, Yim J, Oates A. A novel approach to patient portal activation data to power equity improvements. J Am Med Inform Assoc 2024:ocae152. [PMID: 38887009 DOI: 10.1093/jamia/ocae152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are significant disparities in access and utilization of patient portals by age, language, race, and ethnicity. MATERIALS AND METHODS We developed ambulatory and inpatient portal activation equity dashboards to understand disparities in initial portal activation, identify targets for improvement, and enable monitoring of interventions over time. We selected key metrics focused on episodes of care and filters to enable high-level overviews and granular data selection to meet the needs of health system leaders and individual clinical units. RESULTS In addition to highlighting disparities by age, preferred language, race and ethnicity, and insurance payor, the dashboards enabled development and monitoring of interventions to improve portal activation and equity. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Data visualization tools that provide easily accessible, timely, and customizable data can enable a variety of stakeholders to understand and address healthcare disparities, such as patient portal activation. Further institutional efforts are needed to address the persistent inequities highlighted by these dashboards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anoop Muniyappa
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, United States
| | - Benjamin Weia
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, United States
| | - Nicole Ling
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, United States
| | - Julie O'Brien
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, United States
| | - Mariamawit Tamerat
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, United States
| | - William Daniel Soulsby
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, United States
| | - Joanne Yim
- Health Informatics, UCSF Health, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, United States
| | - Aris Oates
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, United States
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Pollock JR, Petty SAB, Schmitz JJ, Varner J, Metcalfe AM, Tan N. Patient Access of Their Radiology Reports Before and After Implementation of 21st Century Cures Act Information-Blocking Provisions at a Large Multicampus Health System. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2024; 222:e2330343. [PMID: 38534191 DOI: 10.2214/ajr.23.30343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND. To implement provisions of the 21st Century Cures Act that address information blocking, federal regulations mandated that health systems provide patients with immediate access to elements of their electronic health information, including imaging results. OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to compare patient access of radiology reports before and after implementation of the information-blocking provisions of the 21st Century Cures Act. METHODS. This retrospective study included patients who underwent outpatient imaging examinations from January 1, 2021, through December 31, 2022, at three campuses within a large health system. The system implemented policies to comply with the Cures Act information-blocking provisions on January 1, 2022. Imaging results were released in patient portals after a 36-hour embargo period before implementation versus being released immediately after report finalization after implementation. Data regarding patient report access in the portal and report acknowledgment by the ordering provider in the EMR were extracted and compared between periods. RESULTS. The study included reports for 1,188,692 examinations in 388,921 patients (mean age, 58.5 ± 16.6 [SD] years; 209,589 women, 179,290 men, eight nonbinary individuals, and 34 individuals for whom sex information was missing). A total of 77.5% of reports were accessed by the patient before implementation versus 80.4% after implementation. The median time from report finalization to report release in the patient portal was 36.0 hours before implementation versus 0.4 hours after implementation. The median time from report release to first patient access of the report in the portal was 8.7 hours before implementation versus 3.0 hours after implementation. The median time from report finalization to first patient access was 45.0 hours before implementation versus 5.5 hours after implementation. Before implementation, a total of 18.5% of reports were first accessed by the patient before being accessed by the ordering provider versus 44.0% after implementation. After implementation, the median time from report release to first patient access was 1.8 hours for patients with age younger than 60 years old versus 4.3 hours for patients 60 years old or older. CONCLUSION. After implementation of institutional policies to comply with 21st Century Cures Act information-blocking provisions, the length of time until patients accessed imaging results decreased, and the proportion of patients who accessed their reports before the ordering provider increased. CLINICAL IMPACT. Radiologists should consider mechanisms to ensure timely and appropriate communication of important findings to ordering providers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan R Pollock
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 13400 E Shea Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85259
| | | | | | - Jacob Varner
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 13400 E Shea Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85259
| | | | - Nelly Tan
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 13400 E Shea Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85259
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Chu S, Sisk BA, Kolmar A, Malone JR. Open Notes Experiences of Parents in the Pediatric ICU. Pediatrics 2024; 153:e2023064919. [PMID: 38584584 PMCID: PMC11035162 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2023-064919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We examined how parents experience and navigate open access to clinical notes ("open notes") in their child's electronic health record and explored their interactions with clinicians during an ICU admission. METHODS We performed a qualitative analysis using semistructured interviews of English-speaking parents who accessed their child's clinical notes during a pediatric ICU (general or cardiac) admission. We included patient-parent dyads with an ICU admission ≥48 hours between April 2021 and December 2022, note access by proxy timestamp during the ICU course, and either patient age <12 years or incapacitated adolescent ages 12 to 21 years. Purposive sampling was based on sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Phone interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using inductive thematic codebook analysis. RESULTS We interviewed 20 parents and identified 2 thematic categories, outcomes and interactions, in parents accessing clinical notes. Themes of outcomes included applied benefits, psychosocial and emotional value, and negative consequences. Themes of interactions included practical limitations and parental approach and appraisal. The ICU context and power dynamics were a meta-theme, influencing multiple themes. All parents reported positive qualities of note access despite negative consequences related to content, language, burdens, and lack of support. Parents suggested practice and design improvements surrounding open note access. CONCLUSIONS Parental experiences with open notes reveal new, unaddressed considerations for documentation access, practices, and purpose. Parents leverage open notes by negotiating between the power dynamics in the ICU and the uncertain boundaries of their role and authority in the electronic health record.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selby Chu
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Bryan A. Sisk
- Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri
- St Louis Children’s Hospital, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Amanda Kolmar
- Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri
- St Louis Children’s Hospital, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Jay R. Malone
- Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri
- St Louis Children’s Hospital, St Louis, Missouri
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Khatib R, Glowacki N, Chang E, Lauffenburger J, Pletcher MJ, Siddiqi A. Disparities in Patient Portal Engagement Among Patients With Hypertension Treated in Primary Care. JAMA Netw Open 2024; 7:e2411649. [PMID: 38748420 PMCID: PMC11096988 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.11649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Importance Patient portals are increasingly used for patient-clinician communication and to introduce interventions aimed at improving blood pressure control. Objective To characterize patient portal use among patients with hypertension managed in primary care. Design, Settings, and Participants This retrospective cohort study used electronic health records linked with patient portal log file data from a large, diverse Midwestern health care system. Patients with hypertension who had a primary care visit from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2021, were included. The first visit in 2021 was considered the baseline visit; patient portal engagement was evaluated during the following year. Multivariate logistic regressions, presented as odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs, were used to evaluate associations between patient characteristics and patient portal engagement, adjusting for potential confounders. Exposures Primary exposures included 4 sociodemographic factors routinely collected in the electronic health record: race and ethnicity, insurance, preferred language, and smoking status. Main Outcomes and Measures Indicators of patient engagement with the patient portal included accessing the patient portal at least once, accessing the portal within 7 days of at least 50.0% of primary care physician (PCP) visits, frequent logins (<28 vs ≥28), messaging (<2 vs ≥2), and sharing home blood pressure readings. Results Among 366 871 patients (mean [SD], 63.5 [12.6] years), 52.8% were female, 3.4% were Asian, 7.8% were Hispanic, 19.7% were non-Hispanic Black, 66.9% were non-Hispanic White, and 2.3% were of other race or ethnicity. During the 1-year study period starting in 2021, 70.5% accessed the patient portal at least once, 60.2% accessed around the time of their PCP visits, 35.7% accessed the portal frequently, 28.9% engaged in messaging, and 8.7% shared home blood pressure readings. Compared with White patients, non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic patients had lower odds of any access (Black: OR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.52-0.54; Hispanic: OR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.64-0.68), access around PCP visit time (Black: OR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.48-0.50; Hispanic: OR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.60-0.64), frequent access (Black: OR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.55-0.57; Hispanic: OR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.69-0.73), and messaging (Black: OR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.61-0.64); Hispanic: OR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.69-0.73). Conclusions and Relevance This cohort study of patients with hypertension found clear sociodemographic disparities in patient portal engagement among those treated in primary care. Without special efforts to engage patients with portals, interventions that use patient portals to target hypertension may exacerbate disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasha Khatib
- Advocate Aurora Research Institute, Advocate Health, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Nicole Glowacki
- Advocate Aurora Research Institute, Advocate Health, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Eva Chang
- Advocate Aurora Research Institute, Advocate Health, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Julie Lauffenburger
- Center for Healthcare Delivery Sciences (C4HDS), Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Mark J. Pletcher
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Alvia Siddiqi
- Enterprise Population Health, Advocate Health, Rolling Meadows, Illinois
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12
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Turer RW, McDonald SA, Lehmann CU, Thakur B, Dutta S, Taylor RA, Rose CC, Frisch A, Feterik K, Norquist C, Baker CK, Nielson JA, Cha D, Kwan B, Dameff C, Killeen JP, Hall MK, Doerning RC, Rosenbloom ST, Distaso C, Steitz BD. Real-Time Electronic Patient Portal Use Among Emergency Department Patients. JAMA Netw Open 2024; 7:e249831. [PMID: 38700859 PMCID: PMC11069088 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.9831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Importance Patients with inequitable access to patient portals frequently present to emergency departments (EDs) for care. Little is known about portal use patterns among ED patients. Objectives To describe real-time patient portal usage trends among ED patients and compare demographic and clinical characteristics between portal users and nonusers. Design, Setting, and Participants In this cross-sectional study of 12 teaching and 24 academic-affiliated EDs from 8 health systems in California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington, patient portal access and usage data were evaluated for all ED patients 18 years or older between April 5, 2021, and April 4, 2022. Exposure Use of the patient portal during ED visit. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcomes were the weekly proportions of ED patients who logged into the portal, viewed test results, and viewed clinical notes in real time. Pooled random-effects models were used to evaluate temporal trends and demographic and clinical characteristics associated with real-time portal use. Results The study included 1 280 924 unique patient encounters (53.5% female; 0.6% American Indian or Alaska Native, 3.7% Asian, 18.0% Black, 10.7% Hispanic, 0.4% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 66.5% White, 10.0% other race, and 4.0% with missing race or ethnicity; 91.2% English-speaking patients; mean [SD] age, 51.9 [19.2] years). During the study, 17.4% of patients logged into the portal while in the ED, whereas 14.1% viewed test results and 2.5% viewed clinical notes. The odds of accessing the portal (odds ratio [OR], 1.36; 95% CI, 1.19-1.56), viewing test results (OR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.30-2.04), and viewing clinical notes (OR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.19-2.15) were higher at the end of the study vs the beginning. Patients with active portal accounts at ED arrival had a higher odds of logging into the portal (OR, 17.73; 95% CI, 9.37-33.56), viewing test results (OR, 18.50; 95% CI, 9.62-35.57), and viewing clinical notes (OR, 18.40; 95% CI, 10.31-32.86). Patients who were male, Black, or without commercial insurance had lower odds of logging into the portal, viewing results, and viewing clinical notes. Conclusions and Relevance These findings suggest that real-time patient portal use during ED encounters has increased over time, but disparities exist in portal access that mirror trends in portal usage more generally. Given emergency medicine's role in caring for medically underserved patients, there are opportunities for EDs to enroll and train patients in using patient portals to promote engagement during and after their visits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert W. Turer
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas
- Clinical Informatics Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas
| | - Samuel A. McDonald
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas
- Clinical Informatics Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas
| | - Christoph U. Lehmann
- Clinical Informatics Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas
| | - Bhaskar Thakur
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas
| | - Sayon Dutta
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Mass General Brigham, Boston, Massachusetts
- Mass General Brigham Digital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Richard A. Taylor
- Department of Emergency Medicine and Section for Biomedical Informatics and Data Science, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
- Department of Biostatistics, Yale School of Public Heath, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Christian C. Rose
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Adam Frisch
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Kristian Feterik
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Craig Norquist
- Department of Emergency Medicine, HonorHealth, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - Carrie K. Baker
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Kettering Health, and Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio
| | - Jeffrey A. Nielson
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Kettering Health, and Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio
| | - David Cha
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Kettering Health, and Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio
| | - Brian Kwan
- Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego
| | - Christian Dameff
- Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego
| | - James P. Killeen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego
| | - Michael K. Hall
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle
| | | | - S. Trent Rosenbloom
- Departments of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Casey Distaso
- Departments of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Bryan D. Steitz
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
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13
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van der Veer SN, Anderson NE, Finnigan R, Kyte D. Electronic Collection of Patient-Reported Outcomes to Improve Kidney Care: Benefits, Drawbacks, and Next Steps. Semin Nephrol 2024; 44:151552. [PMID: 39164148 DOI: 10.1016/j.semnephrol.2024.151552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/22/2024]
Abstract
Kidney services worldwide are increasingly using digital health technologies to deliver care. This includes kidney electronic patient-reported outcome (ePRO) systems: ambulatory digital technologies that enable the capture of PRO data electronically from people with kidney disease remotely and in real time to be shared with their kidney care team. Current kidney ePRO systems commonly aim to support the monitoring and management of symptoms in patients with kidney disease. The majority have thus far only been implemented in research settings and are not yet routinely used in clinical practice, leaving their readiness for real-world implementation largely unknown. Compared with paper-based PRO collection, ePRO systems have certain advantages, which we categorize as efficiency benefits (e.g., lower administrative burden), direct patient care benefits (e.g., automated PRO-based patient education), and health system and research benefits (e.g., collecting ePRO data once for multiple purposes). At the same time, kidney ePRO systems come with drawbacks, such as their potential to exacerbate existing inequities in care and outcomes and to negatively affect staff burden and patients' experience of kidney care. Areas that hold promise for expediting the development and uptake of kidney ePRO systems at the local, organizational, and national level include harnessing national kidney registries as enabling infrastructures; using novel data-driven technologies (e.g., computerized adaptive test systems, configurable dashboards); applying implementation science and action research approaches to enhance translation of ePRO research findings into clinical practice; and engaging stakeholders, including patients and carers, health care professionals, policymakers, payers, ePRO experts, technology providers, and organizations that monitor and improve the quality of kidney services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine N van der Veer
- Division of Informatics, Imaging and Data Science, School of Health Sciences, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
| | - Nicola E Anderson
- Centre for Patient Reported Outcomes Research (CPROR), Institute of Applied Health Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK; National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK; National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) West Midlands, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK; University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Rob Finnigan
- NHS England North West Kidney Network, NHS England, Leeds, UK
| | - Derek Kyte
- School of Allied Health and Community, University of Worcester, Worcester, UK
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Ashok Kumar P, Ghimire K, Haroun E, Kassab J, Saba L, Gentile T, Dutta D, Lim SH. Utilization and outcome disparities in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant in the United States. Eur J Haematol 2024; 112:328-338. [PMID: 37899652 DOI: 10.1111/ejh.14129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HSCT) is increasingly being used in the United States (US) and across the world as a curative therapeutic option for patients with certain high-risk hematologic malignancies and non-malignant diseases. However, racial and ethnic disparities in utilization of the procedure and in outcome following transplant remain major problems. Racial and ethnic minority patients are consistently under-represented in the proportion of patients who undergo allo-HSCT in the US. The transplant outcomes in these patients are also inferior. The interrelated driving forces responsible for the differences in the utilization and transplant outcome of the medical intervention are socioeconomic status, complexity of the procedure, geographical barriers, and the results of differences in the genetics and comorbidities across different races. Bridging the disparity gaps is important not only to provide equity and inclusion in the utilization of this potentially life-saving procedure but also in ensuring that minority groups are well represented for research studies about allo-HSCT. This is required to determine interventions that may be more efficacious in particular racial and ethnic groups. Various strategies at the Federal, State, and Program levels have been designed to bridge the disparity gaps with varying successes. In this review paper, we will examine the disparities and discuss the strategies currently available to address the utilization and outcome gaps between patients of different races in the US.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prashanth Ashok Kumar
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Krishna Ghimire
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Elio Haroun
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Joseph Kassab
- Department of Medicine, Saint-Joseph University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Ludovic Saba
- Department of Medicine, Saint-Joseph University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Teresa Gentile
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Dibyendu Dutta
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Seah H Lim
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA
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Midboe AM, Cave S, Shimada SL, Griffin AC, Avoundjian T, Asch SM, Gifford AL, McInnes DK, Troszak LK. Relationship Between Patient Portal Tool Use and Medication Adherence and Viral Load Among Patients Living with HIV. J Gen Intern Med 2024; 39:127-135. [PMID: 38252241 PMCID: PMC10937883 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-023-08474-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patient portals play an increasingly critical role in engaging patients in their health care. They have the potential to significantly impact the health of those living with chronic diseases, such as HIV, for whom consistent care engagement is both critical and complex. OBJECTIVE The primary aim was to examine the longitudinal relationships between individual portal tool use and health-related outcomes in patients living with HIV. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study using electronic health record data to examine the relationship between patient portal tool use and key HIV-specific, health-related outcomes in patients engaged in care in the Veterans Health Administration (VA) through the application of marginal structural models. PARTICIPANTS A national sample of patients living with HIV (PLWH) active in VA care who were registered to use the VA's patient portal, My HealtheVet (MHV; n = 18,390) between 10/1/2012 and 4/1/2017. MAIN MEASURES The MHV tools examined were prescription refill (including prescription refill of an antiretroviral (ART) medication and any medication), secure messaging, view appointments, and view labs. Primary outcomes were viral load test receipt, viral load suppression, and ART medication adherence (measured as proportion of days covered). KEY RESULTS The use of prescription refill for any medication or for ART was positively associated with ART adherence. Secure messaging was positively associated with ART adherence but not with viral load test receipt or viral load suppression. The use of view appointments was positively associated with ART adherence and viral load test receipt but not viral load suppression. The use of view labs was positively associated with viral load suppression but not ART adherence or viral load test receipt. CONCLUSIONS These findings highlight the valuable role patient portals may play in improving health-related outcomes among PLWH and have implications for patients living with other types of chronic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda M Midboe
- VA HSR&D Center for Innovation to Implementation (Ci2i), VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, CA, USA.
- Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
| | - Shayna Cave
- VA HSR&D Center for Innovation to Implementation (Ci2i), VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, CA, USA
| | - Stephanie L Shimada
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Veterans Affairs Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA, USA
- Department of Health Law, Policy, and Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Ashley C Griffin
- VA HSR&D Center for Innovation to Implementation (Ci2i), VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, CA, USA
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Tigran Avoundjian
- VA HSR&D Center for Innovation to Implementation (Ci2i), VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, CA, USA
| | - Steven M Asch
- VA HSR&D Center for Innovation to Implementation (Ci2i), VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, CA, USA
- Division of Primary Care and Population Health, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Allen L Gifford
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Veterans Affairs Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA, USA
- Department of Health Law, Policy, and Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Donald Keith McInnes
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Veterans Affairs Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA, USA
| | - Lara K Troszak
- VA HSR&D Center for Innovation to Implementation (Ci2i), VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, CA, USA
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Osaghae I, Chido-Amajuoyi OG, Talluri R, Shete S. Prevalence, reasons for use, perceived benefits, and awareness of health risks of cannabis use among cancer survivors - implications for policy and interventions. J Cancer Surviv 2023:10.1007/s11764-023-01526-7. [PMID: 38158514 DOI: 10.1007/s11764-023-01526-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is increasing discourse on the use of cannabis as a palliative for cancer/cancer-treatment-related symptoms. We described the prevalent reasons for use, perceived benefits, and awareness of health risks from cannabis use for cancer management among cancer survivors. METHODS Cross-sectional survey of adult (≥ 18 years) cancer survivors from 41 US states receiving treatment at a comprehensive cancer center. RESULTS Of 1,886 cancer survivors included, 17.4% were current users, 30.5% were former users, and 52.2% were never users of cannabis. Among survivors who currently or formerly used cannabis after their cancer diagnosis (n = 510), the reasons for cannabis use in cancer management were; sleep disturbance (60%), pain (51%), stress (44%), nausea (34%), and mood disorder/depression (32%). Also, about a fifth (91/510) of survivors used cannabis to treat their cancer. Across the different symptoms assessed, over half of the survivors who reported a reason for using cannabis currently or after their cancer diagnosis perceived that cannabis was helpful to a great extent in improving their symptoms. However, of the 167 survivors who reported awareness of potential health risks from cannabis use, the awareness of adverse health risks associated with cannabis use was low: suicidal thoughts (5%), intense nausea and vomiting (6%), depression (11%), anxiety (14%), breathing problems (31%), and interaction with cancer drugs (35%). CONCLUSION Prevalence of cannabis use among survivors was notable, with most reporting a great degree of symptomatic improvement for the specified reason for use. However, only a few were aware of the health risks of cannabis use during cancer management. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS With more cancer survivors using cannabis as a palliative in managing their cancer-related symptoms, future guidelines and policies on cannabis use in cancer management should incorporate cannabis-based interventions to minimize the inadvertent harm from cannabis use during cancer treatment among survivors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ikponmwosa Osaghae
- Department of Epidemiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Rajesh Talluri
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Data Science, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Sanjay Shete
- Department of Epidemiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
- Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1400 Pressler Dr., FCT4.6002, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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Everson J, Besaw RJ, Whitmore CC, Joseph Mattingly T, Sinaiko AD, Keating NL, Everson NS, Dusetzina SB. Quality of Medication Cost Conversations and Interest in Future Cost Conversations Among Older Adults. J Gen Intern Med 2023; 38:3482-3489. [PMID: 37709993 PMCID: PMC10713949 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-023-08388-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medication cost conversations occur less frequently than patients prefer, and it is unclear whether patients have positive experiences with them when they do occur. OBJECTIVE To describe patients' experiences discussing their medication costs with their health care team. DESIGN Cross-sectional survey. SETTING Nationally representative survey fielded in the United States in 2022 (response rate = 48.5%). PATIENTS 1020 adults over age 65. MEASUREMENTS Primary measures were adapted from Clinician and Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers Survey visit survey v4.0 and captured patients' experiences of medication cost conversations. Additional measures captured patients' interest in future cost conversations, the type of clinicians with whom they would be comfortable discussing costs, and sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS Among 1020 respondents who discussed medication prices with their health care team, 39.3% were 75 or older and 78.6% were non-Hispanic White. Forty-three percent of respondents indicated that their prior medication cost conversation was not easy to understand; 3% indicated their health care team was not respectful and 26% indicated their health care team was somewhat respectful during their last conversation; 48% indicated that there was not enough time. Those reporting that their prior discussion was not easy to understand or that their clinician was not definitely respectful were less likely to be interested in future discussions. Only 6% and 10% of respondents indicated being comfortable discussing medication prices with financial counselors or social workers, respectively. Few differences in responses were observed by survey participant characteristics. LIMITATIONS This cross-sectional survey of prior experiences may be subject to recall bias. CONCLUSION Among older adults who engaged in prior medication cost conversations, many report that these conversations are not easy to understand and that almost one-third of clinicians were somewhat or not respectful. Efforts to increase the frequency of medication cost conversations should consider parallel interventions to ensure the discussions are effective at informing prescribing decisions and reducing cost-related medication nonadherence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan Everson
- Department of Health Policy, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
- Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Robert J Besaw
- Department of Health Policy, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Christine C Whitmore
- Department of Health Policy, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - T Joseph Mattingly
- Department of Pharmacotherapy, University of Utah College of Pharmacy, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Anna D Sinaiko
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nancy L Keating
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nicole Senft Everson
- Health Communication and Informatics Research Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Stacie B Dusetzina
- Department of Health Policy, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
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Symecko H, Schnoll R, Beidas RS, Bekelman JE, Blumenthal D, Bauer AM, Gabriel P, Boisseau L, Doucette A, Powers J, Cappadocia J, McKenna DB, Richardville R, Cuff L, Offer R, Clement EG, Buttenheim AM, Asch DA, Rendle KA, Shelton RC, Fayanju OM, Wileyto EP, Plag M, Ware S, Shulman LN, Nathanson KL, Domchek SM. Protocol to evaluate sequential electronic health record-based strategies to increase genetic testing for breast and ovarian cancer risk across diverse patient populations in gynecology practices. Implement Sci 2023; 18:57. [PMID: 37932730 PMCID: PMC10629034 DOI: 10.1186/s13012-023-01308-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Germline genetic testing is recommended by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) for individuals including, but not limited to, those with a personal history of ovarian cancer, young-onset (< 50 years) breast cancer, and a family history of ovarian cancer or male breast cancer. Genetic testing is underused overall, and rates are consistently lower among Black and Hispanic populations. Behavioral economics-informed implementation strategies, or nudges, directed towards patients and clinicians may increase the use of this evidence-based clinical practice. METHODS Patients meeting eligibility for germline genetic testing for breast and ovarian cancer will be identified using electronic phenotyping algorithms. A pragmatic cohort study will test three sequential strategies to promote genetic testing, two directed at patients and one directed at clinicians, deployed in the electronic health record (EHR) for patients in OB-GYN clinics across a diverse academic medical center. We will use rapid cycle approaches informed by relevant clinician and patient experiences, health equity, and behavioral economics to optimize and de-risk our strategies and methods before trial initiation. Step 1 will send patients messages through the health system patient portal. For non-responders, step 2 will reach out to patients via text message. For non-responders, Step 3 will contact patients' clinicians using a novel "pend and send" tool in the EHR. The primary implementation outcome is engagement with germline genetic testing for breast and ovarian cancer predisposition, defined as a scheduled genetic counseling appointment. Patient data collected through the EHR (e.g., race/ethnicity, geocoded address) will be examined as moderators of the impact of the strategies. DISCUSSION This study will be one of the first to sequentially examine the effects of patient- and clinician-directed strategies informed by behavioral economics on engagement with breast and ovarian cancer genetic testing. The pragmatic and sequential design will facilitate a large and diverse patient sample, allow for the assessment of incremental gains from different implementation strategies, and permit the assessment of moderators of strategy effectiveness. The findings may help determine the impact of low-cost, highly transportable implementation strategies that can be integrated into healthcare systems to improve the use of genomic medicine. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT05721326. Registered February 10, 2023. https://www. CLINICALTRIALS gov/study/NCT05721326.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather Symecko
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Basser Center for BRCA, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Robert Schnoll
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Center for Cancer Care Innovation, Abramson Cancer Center, Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research On Nicotine Addiction, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Rinad S Beidas
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Justin E Bekelman
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Center for Cancer Care Innovation, Abramson Cancer Center, Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Daniel Blumenthal
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research On Nicotine Addiction, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Anna-Marika Bauer
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research On Nicotine Addiction, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Peter Gabriel
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Center for Cancer Care Innovation, Abramson Cancer Center, Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Leland Boisseau
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Abigail Doucette
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Center for Cancer Care Innovation, Abramson Cancer Center, Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jacquelyn Powers
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Basser Center for BRCA, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jacqueline Cappadocia
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Basser Center for BRCA, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Danielle B McKenna
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Basser Center for BRCA, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Robert Richardville
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Basser Center for BRCA, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lauren Cuff
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Basser Center for BRCA, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ryan Offer
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Elizabeth G Clement
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Alison M Buttenheim
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Center for Cancer Care Innovation, Abramson Cancer Center, Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - David A Asch
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Center for Cancer Care Innovation, Abramson Cancer Center, Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Katharine A Rendle
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Center for Cancer Care Innovation, Abramson Cancer Center, Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Rachel C Shelton
- Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Oluwadamilola M Fayanju
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Center for Cancer Care Innovation, Abramson Cancer Center, Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - E Paul Wileyto
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research On Nicotine Addiction, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Martina Plag
- Center for Healthcare Transformation and Innovation, Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sue Ware
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research On Nicotine Addiction, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lawrence N Shulman
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Center for Cancer Care Innovation, Abramson Cancer Center, Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Katherine L Nathanson
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Basser Center for BRCA, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Center for Cancer Care Innovation, Abramson Cancer Center, Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Susan M Domchek
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Basser Center for BRCA, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Penn Center for Cancer Care Innovation, Abramson Cancer Center, Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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19
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Richwine C. Progress and Persistent Disparities in Patient Access to Electronic Health Information. JAMA HEALTH FORUM 2023; 4:e233883. [PMID: 37948063 PMCID: PMC10638642 DOI: 10.1001/jamahealthforum.2023.3883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance Patient access to electronic health information (EHI) available via online medical records and through patient portals has been shown to help individuals make informed health decisions, which are associated with better health outcomes. Objective To assess progress in patient engagement with EHI and to identify racial or ethnic disparities in access to patient portals. Design, Setting, and Participants This was a repeated cross-sectional study using data from the US Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS), a nationally representative survey of US adults that tracks individuals' access and use of their health information. Six cycles of HINTS were included (2014, 2017-2020, 2022); data for the disparities analysis came from the 2022 HINTS. Data analyses were performed in April 2023. Main Outcomes and Measures Patient reports of (1) being offered portal access by a health care provider (HCP); (2) being encouraged by the HCP to use the portal; (3) accessing their portal; and (4) using the portal for various purposes. Additional key measures included methods used to access portals and self-reported ease of understanding information contained in the online medical records or portals. Results The total study population included 22 266 individuals (mean [SE] age, 49.9 [0.15] years) of whom 13 348 (54%) were female; 909 (5%) self-identified as Asian, 3523 (12%) as Black, 3178 (14%) as Hispanic, 13 555 (66%) as White, and 785 (3%) as another or more than 1 race. Nationally, patient portal access increased each year from 2014 through 2022, with a 46% increase observed between 2020 (n = 3319) and 2022 (n = 5437). However, in 2022, Black and Hispanic individuals reported being offered access to a portal by their HCP at significantly lower rates compared with White individuals (73% vs 81%; χ21 = 22.24; P < .001; and 62% vs 81%; χ21 = 135.57; P < .001, respectively) as well as accessing a patient portal at lower rates (60% vs 70%; χ21 = 23.80; P < .001; and 57% vs 70%; χ21 = 49.02; P < .001, respectively). Conclusions and Relevance The findings of this repeated cross-sectional study of US adult respondents to the HINTS suggest that access to and engagement with patient portals increased significantly from 2014 through 2022, but racial and ethnic disparities in patient access persisted in 2022. However, there were no significant differences in use or understanding of information available in the online medical records among those who accessed them, which suggests that efforts to promote equitable opportunities to access EHI would likely be associated with increased patient access.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea Richwine
- Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, Washington, DC
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20
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Johnson KB, Ibrahim SA, Rosenbloom ST. Ensuring Equitable Access to Patient Portals-Closing the "Techquity" Gap. JAMA HEALTH FORUM 2023; 4:e233406. [PMID: 37948065 PMCID: PMC11250922 DOI: 10.1001/jamahealthforum.2023.3406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin B Johnson
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, Leonard Davis Institute for Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | | | - S Trent Rosenbloom
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
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21
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Buis LR, Brown LK, Plegue MA, Kadri R, Laurie AR, Guetterman TC, Vydiswaran VGV, Li J, Veinot TC. Identifying Inequities in Video and Audio Telehealth Services for Primary Care Encounters During COVID-19: Repeated Cross-Sectional, Observational Study. J Med Internet Res 2023; 25:e49804. [PMID: 37773609 PMCID: PMC10544805 DOI: 10.2196/49804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in rapid changes in how patient care was provided, particularly through the expansion of telehealth and audio-only phone-based care. OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to evaluate inequities in video and audio-only care during various time points including the initial wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, later stages of the pandemic, and a historical control. We sought to understand the characteristics of care during this time for a variety of different groups of patients that may experience health care inequities. METHODS We conducted a retrospective analysis of electronic health record (EHR) data from encounters from 34 family medicine and internal medicine primary care clinics in a large, Midwestern health system, using a repeated cross-sectional, observational study design. These data included patient demographic data, as well as encounter, diagnosis, and procedure records. Data were obtained for all in-person and telehealth encounters (including audio-only phone-based care) that occurred during 3 separate time periods: an initial COVID-19 period (T2: March 16, 2020, to May 3, 2020), a later COVID-19 period (T3: May 4, 2020, to September 30, 2020), and a historical control period from the previous year (T1: March 16, 2019, to September 30, 2019). Primary analysis focused on the status of each encounter in terms of whether it was completed as scheduled, it was canceled, or the patient missed the appointment. A secondary analysis was performed to evaluate the likelihood of an encounter being completed based on visit modality (phone, video, in-person). RESULTS In total, there were 938,040 scheduled encounters during the 3 time periods, with 178,747 unique patients, that were included for analysis. Patients with completed encounters were more likely to be younger than 65 years old (71.8%-74.1%), be female (58.8%-61.8%), be White (75.6%-76.7%), and have no significant comorbidities (63.2%-66.8%) or disabilities (53.2%-61.1%) in all time periods than those who had only canceled or missed encounters. Effects on different subpopulations are discussed herein. CONCLUSIONS Findings from this study demonstrate that primary care utilization across delivery modalities (in person, video, and phone) was not equivalent across all groups before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and different groups were differentially impacted at different points. Understanding how different groups of patients responded to these rapid changes and how health care inequities may have been affected is an important step in better understanding implementation strategies for digital solutions in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorraine R Buis
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- School of Information, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Lindsay K Brown
- School of Information, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Melissa A Plegue
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Reema Kadri
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Anna R Laurie
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Timothy C Guetterman
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - V G Vinod Vydiswaran
- School of Information, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Learning Health Sciences, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Jiazhao Li
- School of Information, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Tiffany C Veinot
- School of Information, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Learning Health Sciences, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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22
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Reynolds TL, Cobb JG, Steitz BD, Ancker JS, Rosenbloom ST. The State-of-the-Art of Patient Portals: Adapting to External Factors, Addressing Barriers, and Innovating. Appl Clin Inform 2023; 14:654-669. [PMID: 37611795 PMCID: PMC10446914 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1770901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Recent external factors-the 21st Century Cures Act and the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic-have stimulated major changes in the patient portal landscape. The objective of this state-of-the-art review is to describe recent developments in the patient portal literature and to identify recommendations and future directions for the design, implementation, and evaluation of portals. METHODS To focus this review on salient contemporary issues, we elected to center it on four topics: (1) 21st Century Cures Act's impact on patient portals (e.g., Open Notes); (2) COVID-19's pandemic impact on portals; (3) proxy access to portals; and (4) disparities in portal adoption and use. We conducted targeted PubMed searches to identify recent empirical studies addressing these topics, used a two-part screening process to determine relevance, and conducted thematic analyses. RESULTS Our search identified 174 unique papers, 74 were relevant empirical studies and included in this review. Among these papers, we identified 10 themes within our four a priori topics, including preparing for and understanding the consequences of increased patient access to their electronic health information (Cures Act); developing, deploying, and evaluating new virtual care processes (COVID-19); understanding current barriers to formal proxy use (proxy access); and addressing disparities in portal adoption and use (disparities). CONCLUSION Our results suggest that the recent trends toward understanding the implications of immediate access to most test results, exploring ways to close gaps in portal adoption and use among different sub-populations, and finding ways to leverage portals to improve health and health care are the next steps in the maturation of patient portals and are key areas that require more research. It is important that health care organizations share their innovative portal efforts, so that successful measures can be tested in other contexts, and progress can continue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tera L. Reynolds
- Department of Information Systems, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Jared Guthrie Cobb
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
| | - Bryan D. Steitz
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
| | - Jessica S. Ancker
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
| | - S. Trent Rosenbloom
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
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23
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Roscoe RD, Balyan R, McNamara DS, Banawan M, Schillinger D. Automated Strategy Feedback Can Improve the Readability of Physicians' Electronic Communications to Simulated Patients. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HUMAN-COMPUTER STUDIES 2023; 176:103059. [PMID: 37193118 PMCID: PMC10174593 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhcs.2023.103059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Modern communication between health care professionals and patients increasingly relies upon secure messages (SMs) exchanged through an electronic patient portal. Despite the convenience of secure messaging, challenges include gaps between physician and patient expertise along with the asynchronous nature of such communication. Importantly, less readable SMs from physicians (e.g., too complicated) may result in patient confusion, non-adherence, and ultimately poorer health outcomes. The current simulation trial synthesizes work on patient-physician electronic communication, message readability assessments, and feedback to explore the potential for automated strategy feedback to improve the readability of physicians' SMs to patients. Within a simulated secure messaging portal featuring multiple simulated patient scenarios, computational algorithms assessed the complexity of SMs written by 67 participating physicians to patients. The messaging portal provided strategy feedback for how physician responses might be improved (e.g., adding details and information to reduce complexity). Analyses of changes in SM complexity revealed that automated strategy feedback indeed helped physicians compose and refine more readable messages. Although the effects for any individual SM were slight, the cumulative effects within and across patient scenarios showed trends of decreasing complexity. Physicians appeared to learn how to craft more readable SMs via interactions with the feedback system. Implications for secure messaging systems and physician training are discussed, along with considerations for further investigation of broader physician populations and effects on patient experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rod D Roscoe
- Arizona State University 7271 E. Sonoran Arroyo Mall Santa Catalina Hall 150 Mesa, AZ 85212 USA
| | - Renu Balyan
- State University of New York at Old Westbury PO Box 210, Old Westbury, NY 11568 USA
| | | | - Michelle Banawan
- Asian Institute of Management 123 Paseo de Roxas Avenue Makati, Metro Manila 1229, Philippines
| | - Dean Schillinger
- School of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine University of California, San Francisco 500 Parnassus Avenue San Francisco, CA 94143 USA
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24
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Bathija P, Krupinski EA, Rodriguez JA, Sklar T. Achieving Digital Health Equity by Personalizing the Patient Experience. TELEMEDICINE REPORTS 2023; 4:166-173. [PMID: 37405125 PMCID: PMC10316037 DOI: 10.1089/tmr.2023.0018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
Background COVID saw a significant increase in the use of virtual care, supporting its utility and its benefits. It also revealed that unfortunately there are limitations and gaps we still need to address, including inequitable access to digitally enabled health care tools. Methods On November 8, 2022, the Mass General Brigham held the Third Annual Virtual Care Symposium: Demystifying Clinical Appropriateness in Virtual Care and What's Ahead for Pay Parity. One panel addressed digital health equity and key points are summarized here. Results Four experts discussed the key domains of digital equity and inclusion in the session titled "Achieving Digital Health Equity: Is it a One-Size-Fits-All Approach or Personalized Patient Experience?" These included lessons from strategies and tactics being used by hospitals and health systems to address digital equity issues; and opportunities to achieve digital health equity for specific populations (e.g., Medicaid). Conclusions Understanding the drivers of digital health disparities can help organizations and health care systems develop and test strategies to reduce them and improve access to quality health care through digitally enabled technologies and delivery channels.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Tara Sklar
- University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
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