Who are we reaching through the patient portal: engaging the already engaged?

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Published: Dec 20, 2011
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5750/ijpcm.v1i4.152

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Judith Hoffman Hibbard
University of Oregon
Jessica Greene
University of Oregon, Institute for Policy Research and Innovation and Department of Planning, Public Policy and Management, Eugene, Oregon

Abstract

A key assumption underlying the drive to increase patient use of a patient portal is that such use will increase patient engagement and activation. In this cross-sectional analysis we examine the question of who uses the patient portal, MyChart. Specifically, we examine the Patient Activation Measure (PAM) scores among patients receiving primary care in a large delivery system to assess how it relates to referrals to use the patient portal, as well as actual usage. A total of 16,357 patients are included in the analysis who had an office visit during a six-month period in 2010 and who had a PAM score in their EHR. The findings show that higher activated patients are more likely to be referred to the patient portal and among that group, the higher activated are more likely to actually use it. Policy and practice implications are discussed. 

Article Details

Issue
Vol. 1 No. 4 (2011): December
Section
Clinical and Electronic Communication
Author Biography

Judith Hoffman Hibbard, University of Oregon

Professor of Health PolicyDepartment of Planning Public Policy, and, ManagementUniversity of Oregon-1209Eugene, OR

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