Patient portal utilization: before and after stage 2 electronic health record meaningful use.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Turner K
PROVIDER: S-EPMC7647198 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Patient portal utilization: before and after stage 2 electronic health record meaningful use.
Turner Kea K Hong Young-Rock YR Yadav Sandhya S Huo Jinhai J Mainous Arch G AG
Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association : JAMIA 20191001 10
<h4>Objective</h4>Patient portal functionalities, such as patient-physician e-communication, can benefit patients by improving clinical outcomes. Utilization has historically been low but may have increased in recent years due to the implementation of Stage 2 Meaningful Use for electronic health records. This study has 2 objectives: 1) to compare patient portal utilization rates before Stage 2 (2011-2013) and after Stage 2 (2014-2017), and 2) to examine whether disparities in patient portal util ...[more]
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Project description:Rationale & objectiveElectronic health record portals are increasingly emphasized in chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, associations of portal use with clinical and patient-centered outcomes remain unknown.Study designCross-sectional survey (April 2015 to March 2018).Setting & participantsNondialysis patients with CKD from nephrology clinics within 1 academic medical center.ExposuresPatient demographics (age, sex, race, ethnicity, education, and income), kidney function.OutcomesAssociation between portal use as an outcome and exposures. Additionally, associations of portal use and patient demographics with 4 patient-centered outcomes (CKD-specific knowledge, stress, and 2 self-ratings of health).Analytic approachLogistic regression to examine associations between patient portal use, demographics, and kidney function. Linear regression to examine associations between portal use and patient-centered outcomes.ResultsOf 245 participants, mean age was 60 ± 17 (SD) years, 182 (77%) were White, 121 (49%) were women, 230 (96%) had a high school education or higher, and 96 (45%) had <$50,000 annual income. Examining portal use, 159 (65%) used the portal as follows: checking laboratory test results, 157 (99%); managing appointments, 133 (84%); messaging providers, 131 (82%); viewing medical history, 127 (80%); reviewing educational resources, 113 (71%); and renewing prescriptions, 98 (62%). African Americans (OR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.16-0.72 vs White patients), patients with less formal education (OR, 0.06; 95% CI, 0.01-0.36), and those with lower income (OR, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.13-0.60; and OR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.12-0.54 comparing income < $25,000 and $25,000-$50,000, respectively, with ≥$50,000) had lower odds of using the portal. In adjusted analysis, only lower income predicted lower portal use. Examining patient-centered outcomes in univariable analysis, portal users had higher knowledge (β = 4.89; P = 0.02), higher ratings of current health (β = 0.28; P = 0.03), and lower CKD-related stress (β = -0.18; P = 0.05). In adjusted analysis, only patient demographics and/or kidney function remained independent predictors of patient-centered outcomes.LimitationsCross-sectional study design, cannot determine causality.ConclusionsInterventions are needed to ensure that all patients have access to portals to mitigate disparities in care.
| S-EPMC8039427 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Background and objectivesElectronic health record (EHR) patient portals allow individuals to access their medical information with the intent of patient empowerment. However, little is known about portal use in nephrology patients. We addressed this gap by characterizing adoption of an EHR portal, assessing secular trends, and examining the association of portal adoption and BP control (<140/90 mmHg).Design, setting, participants, & measurementsPatients seen between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2012, at any of four university-affiliated nephrology offices who had at least one additional nephrology follow-up visit before June 30, 2013, were included. Sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidities, clinical measurements, and office visits were abstracted from the EHR. Neighborhood median household income was obtained from the American Community Survey 2012.ResultsOf 2803 patients, 1098 (39%) accessed the portal. Over 87% of users reviewed laboratory results, 85% reviewed their medical information (e.g., medical history), 85% reviewed or altered appointments, 77% reviewed medications, 65% requested medication refills, and 31% requested medical advice from their renal provider. In adjusted models, older age, African-American race (odds ratio [OR], 0.50; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.39 to 0.64), Medicaid status (OR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.77), and lower neighborhood median household income were associated with not accessing the portal. Portal adoption increased over time (2011 versus 2010: OR, 1.38 [95% CI, 1.09 to 1.75]; 2012 versus 2010: OR, 1.95 [95% CI, 1.44 to 2.64]). Portal adoption was correlated with BP control in patients with a diagnosis of hypertension; however, in the fully adjusted model this was somewhat attenuated and no longer statistically significant (OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.99 to 1.24).ConclusionWhile portal adoption appears to be increasing, greater attention is needed to understand why vulnerable populations do not access it. Future research should examine barriers to the use of e-health technologies in underserved patients with CKD, interventions to address them, and their potential to improve outcomes.
| S-EPMC4633780 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectiveTo understand the use of electronic health record (EHR) functionalities by physicians practicing in an underserved setting.Data source/study settingA total of 333 Indian Health Service physicians (55 percent response rate) in August 2012.Study designCross-sectional.Data collectionThe survey assessed routine use of EHR functionalities, perceived usefulness, and barriers to adoption.Principal findingsPhysicians routinely used a median 7 of 10 EHR functionalities targeted by the Meaningful Use program, but only 5 percent used all 10. Most (63 percent) felt the EHR improved quality of care. Many (76 percent) reported increased documentation time and poorer quality patient-physician interactions (45 percent). Primary care specialty and time using the EHR were positively associated with use of EHR functionalities, while perceived productivity loss was negatively associated.ConclusionsSignificant opportunities exist to increase use of EHR functionalities and preserve physician-patient interactions and productivity in a resource-limited environment.
| S-EPMC5517683 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundPatient portals provide patients and their caregivers online access to limited health results. Health care employees with electronic health record (EHR) access may be able to view their health information not available in the patient portal by looking in the EHR.ObjectiveIn this study, we examine how employees use the patient portal when they also have access to the tethered EHR.MethodsWe obtained patient portal and EHR usage logs corresponding to all employees who viewed their health data at our institution between January 1, 2013 and November 1, 2017. We formed three cohorts based on the systems that employees used to view their health data: employees who used the patient portal only, employees who viewed health data in the EHR only, and employees who used both systems. We compared system accesses and usage patterns for each employee cohort.ResultsDuring the study period, 35,172 employees accessed the EHR as part of patients' treatment and 28,631 employees accessed their health data: 25,193 of them used the patient portal and 13,318 accessed their clinical data in EHR. All employees who accessed their records in the EHR viewed their clinical notes at least once. Among EHR accesses, clinical note accesses comprised more than 42% of all EHR accesses. Provider messaging and appointment scheduling were the most commonly used functions in the patient portal. Employees who had access to their health data in both systems were more likely to engage with providers through portal messages.ConclusionEmployees at a large medical center accessed clinical notes in the EHR to obtain information about their health. Employees also viewed other health data not readily available in the patient portal.
| S-EPMC7299683 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundThe Meaningful Use (MU) program has increased the national emphasis on electronic measurement of hospital quality.ObjectiveTo evaluate stroke MU and one VHA stroke electronic clinical quality measure (eCQM) in national VHA data and determine sources of error in using centralized electronic health record (EHR) data.DesignOur study is a retrospective cross-sectional study of stroke quality measure eCQMs vs. chart review in a national EHR. We developed local SQL algorithms to generate the eCQMs, then modified them to run on VHA Central Data Warehouse (CDW) data. eCQM results were generated from CDW data in 2130 ischemic stroke admissions in 11 VHA hospitals. Local and CDW results were compared to chart review.Main measuresWe calculated the raw proportion of matching cases, sensitivity/specificity, and positive/negative predictive values (PPV/NPV) for the numerators and denominators of each eCQM. To assess overall agreement for each eCQM, we calculated a weighted kappa and prevalence-adjusted bias-adjusted kappa statistic for a three-level outcome: ineligible, eligible-passed, or eligible-failed.Key resultsIn five eCQMs, the proportion of matched cases between CDW and chart ranged from 95.4 %-99.7 % (denominators) and 87.7 %-97.9 % (numerators). PPVs tended to be higher (range 96.8 %-100 % in CDW) with NPVs less stable and lower. Prevalence-adjusted bias-adjusted kappas for overall agreement ranged from 0.73-0.95. Common errors included difficulty in identifying: (1) mechanical VTE prophylaxis devices, (2) hospice and other specific discharge disposition, and (3) contraindications to receiving care processes.ConclusionsStroke MU indicators can be relatively accurately generated from existing EHR systems (nearly 90 % match to chart review), but accuracy decreases slightly in central compared to local data sources. To improve stroke MU measure accuracy, EHRs should include standardized data elements for devices, discharge disposition (including hospice and comfort care status), and recording contraindications.
| S-EPMC4803676 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundFederal initiatives are underway that provide physicians with financial incentives for meaningful use (MU) of electronic health records (EHRs) and assistance to purchase and implement EHRs.ObjectiveWe sought to examine readiness and interest in MU among primary care physicians and specialists, and identify factors that may affect their readiness to obtain MU incentives.Design/participantsWe analyzed 4 years of data (2008-2011) from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) Electronic Medical Record (EMR) Supplement, an annual cross-sectional nationally representative survey of non-federally employed office-based physicians.Main measuresSurvey-weighted EHR adoption rates, potential to meet selected MU criteria, and self-reported intention to apply for MU incentives. We also examined the association between physician and practice characteristics and readiness for MU.Key resultsThe overall sample consisted of 10,889 respondents, with weighted response rates of 62 % (2008); 74 % (2009); 66 % (2010); and 61 % (2011). Primary care physicians' adoption of EHRs with the potential to meet MU nearly doubled from 2009 to 2011 (18 % to 38 %, p<0.01), and was significantly higher than specialists (19 %) in 2011 (p<0.01). In 2011, half of physicians (52 %) expressed their intention to apply for MU incentives; this did not vary by specialty. Multivariate analyses report that EHR adoption was significantly higher in both 2010 and 2011 compared to 2009, and primary care physicians and physicians working in larger or multi-specialty practices or for HMOs were more likely to adopt EHRs with the potential to meet MU.ConclusionsPhysician EHR adoption rates increased in advance of MU incentive payments. Although interest in MU incentives did not vary by specialty, primary care physicians had significantly higher rates of adopting EHRs with the potential to meet MU. Addressing barriers to EHR adoption, which may vary by specialty, will be important to enhancing coordination of care.
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Project description: Not available
| S-EPMC7489820 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundAdvance care planning allows patients to articulate their future care preferences should they no longer be able to make decisions on their own. Early advance care planning in outpatient settings provides benefits such as less aggressive care and fewer hospitalizations, yet it is underutilized due to barriers such as provider time constraints and communication complexity. Novel methods, such as patient portals, provide a unique opportunity to conduct advance care planning previsit planning for outpatient care. This follow-up to our pilot study aimed to conduct pragmatic testing of a novel electronic health record-tethered framework and its effects on advance care planning delivery in a real-world primary care setting.ObjectiveOur intervention tested a previsit advance care planning workflow centered around a framework sent via secure electronic health record-linked patient portal in a real-world clinical setting. The primary objective of this study was to determine its impact on frequency and quality of advance care planning documentation.MethodsWe conducted a pragmatic trial including 2 sister clinical sites, one site implementing the intervention and the other continuing standard care. A total of 419 patients aged between 50 and 93 years with active portal accounts received intervention (n=200) or standard care (n=219). Chart review analyzed the presence of advance care planning and its quality and was graded with previously established scoring criteria based on advance care planning best practice guidelines from multiple nations.ResultsA total of 19.5% (39/200) of patients who received previsit planning responded to the framework. We found that the intervention site had statistically significant improvement in new advance care planning documentation rates (P<.01) and quality (P<.01) among all eligible patients. Advance care planning documentation rates increased by 105% (19/39 to 39/39) and quality improved among all patients who engaged in the previsit planning framework (n=39). Among eligible patients aged between 50 and 60 years at the intervention site, advance care planning documentation rates increased by 37% (27/96 to 37/96). Advance care planning documentation rates increased 34% among high users (27/67 to 36/67).ConclusionsAdvance care planning previsit planning using a secure electronic health record-supported patient portal framework yielded improvement in the presence of advance care planning documentation, with highest improvement in active patient portal users and patients aged between 50 and 60 years. Targeted previsit patient portal advance care planning delivery in these populations can potentially improve the quality of care in these populations.
| S-EPMC6039766 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Importance:Although the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act has accelerated electronic health record (EHR) adoption since its passage, clinician satisfaction with EHRs remains low, and the association of HITECH with health care information technology (IT) entrepreneurship has remained largely unstudied. Objective:To determine whether the passage of the HITECH Act was associated with an increase in key measures of health care IT entrepreneurship. Design, Setting, and Participants:This economic evaluation of venture capital (VC) activity in the US from 2000 to 2019 examined funding trends in health care IT, EHR-related companies, and all VC investments before and after the passage of HITECH. A difference-in-differences analysis compared investments in health care IT companies with those of companies in 3 categories: general health care (non-IT), IT (non-health care), and all US VC transactions. Data were analyzed from September 2018 to August 2019. Exposures:Venture capital funding received by US companies before and after the HITECH Act. Main Outcomes and Measures:Venture capital investment in health care IT companies and the proportion of those investments going to seed-stage companies, a proxy for very early-stage entrepreneurship and innovation. Results:The data included 70?982 investments, of which 9425 (13.3%) were seed stage, 10?706 (15.1%) were early stage, and 50?851 (71.6%) were growth stage. After passage of the HITECH Act, investment in both health care IT companies and EHR-related companies increased at a rate much faster (13.0% and 11.4%, respectively) than VC as a whole (6.9%). In addition, the proportion of investments going to seed-stage health care IT companies increased compared with both overall VC investments and non-IT health care investments. Health care IT companies saw increased probabilities of transactions being seed-stage of 5.1% (SE, 2.2%; 95% CI, 0.8% to 9.3%; P?=?.02) compared with the entire sample of VC transactions and 13.6% (SE, 1.9%; 95% CI, 9.9% to 17.2%; P?<?.001) compared with non-IT health care VC transactions. Health care IT had essentially 0 increased probability of a transaction being seed stage compared with IT companies outside health care (-0.8% probability; SE, 2.4%; 95% CI, -5.4% to 3.9%; P?=?.75). Conclusions and Relevance:Although widespread clinician dissatisfaction with EHR systems remains a challenge, the HITECH Act's incentive program may have catalyzed early-stage entrepreneurship in health care IT, suggesting an important role for incentives in promoting innovation.
| S-EPMC7093764 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Electronic health records (EHR) have the potential to improve patient care through efficient access to complete patient health information. This potential may not be reached because many of the most important determinants of health outcome are rarely included. Successful health promotion and disease prevention requires patient-reported data reflecting health behaviors and psychosocial issues. Furthermore, there is a need to harmonize this information across different EHR systems.To fill this gap a three-phased process was used to conceptualize, identify and recommend patient-reported data elements on health behaviors and psychosocial factors for the EHR. Expert panels (n=13) identified candidate measures (phase 1) that were reviewed and rated by a wide range of health professionals (n=93) using the grid-enabled measures wiki social media platform (phase 2). Recommendations were finalized through a town hall meeting with key stakeholders including patients, providers, researchers, policy makers, and representatives from healthcare settings (phase 3).Nine key elements from three areas emerged as the initial critical patient-reported elements to incorporate systematically into EHR--health behaviors (eg, exercise), psychosocial issues (eg, distress), and patient-centered factors (eg, demographics). Recommendations were also made regarding the frequency of collection ranging from a single assessment (eg, demographic characteristics), to annual assessment (eg, health behaviors), or more frequent (eg, patient goals).There was strong stakeholder support for this initiative reflecting the perceived value of incorporating patient-reported elements into EHR. The next steps will include testing the feasibility of incorporating these elements into the EHR across diverse primary care settings.
| S-EPMC3384114 | biostudies-literature