patient portal usage statistics 2017

For example, a recent study found that 52% of patients were offered access to a patient portal in 2017 compared to 42% of patients in 2014. 30 Studies have not yet explored whether federal incentive programs, such as Meaningful Use, have increased access and thus utilization of patient portals.

Full Answer

What do we mean by patient portal users?

Individuals who access their portal at least once in the past year are referred to as “patient portal users”. About a third of patient portal users downloaded their online medical record in 2020 – this proportion has nearly doubled since 2017.

How many people accessed their patient portal in 2020?

Among individuals offered a patient portal, more than six in 10 accessed it at least once in 2020 – this represents an 11 percentage point increase from 2017. ★ Among individuals who were offered access to their patient portal, about three in 10 accessed their portal one to two times in 2020.

Is there a systematic review of measurement of patient portal utilization?

No known review has systematically assessed the measurements used to investigate patient portal utilization. Objective The objective of this study was to apply systematic review criteria to identify and compare methods for quantifying and reporting patient portal use.

How many patient portal users exchanged secure messages with their provider?

★ About six in 10 patient portal users exchanged secure messages with their health care provider in 2020 – this represents a 10 percentage point increase from 2017.

Why do patients not use patient portals?

The researchers found no demographic differences among nonusers who said that a technology hurdle, lack of internet access or no online medical record was the reason why they did not make use of a patient portal.May 14, 2019

Are patient portals effective?

Results of patient engagement were mixed: portals in some studies did not cause statistically significant improvement, but patients in other studies reported that portals enabled better engagement in their care.

Who are using patient portals?

Overwhelmingly, patients use the portal to view their lab results (85 percent). Sixty-two percent of patients are also using the tool for more clinical tasks, such as scheduling appointments, completing paperwork, and refilling prescriptions.Apr 16, 2018

What is the most common barrier to the use of the patient portal?

Conclusions: The most common barriers to patient portal adoption are preference for in-person communication, not having a need for the patient portal, and feeling uncomfortable with computers, which are barriers that are modifiable and can be intervened upon.Sep 17, 2020

What are the benefits and challenges of using patient portals?

What are the Top Pros and Cons of Adopting Patient Portals?Pro: Better communication with chronically ill patients.Con: Healthcare data security concerns.Pro: More complete and accurate patient information.Con: Difficult patient buy-in.Pro: Increased patient ownership of their own care.Feb 17, 2016

What are the advantages of using a patient portal?

Portals can increase patient loyalty. The ongoing relationship and communication that occurs outside of appointments encourages patients to feel cared for and to remain loyal to your practice. Increase your value. Patients value the easy access to information and direct communication that comes with portal use.

What percentage of patients use patient portals?

FINDINGS. Nearly 40 percent of individuals nationwide accessed a patient portal in 2020 – this represents a 13 percentage point increase since 2014.Sep 21, 2021

How common are patient portals?

A subsequent Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) data brief, based on the HINTS survey, reported that as of 2018, 52% of patients had patient portal access. Only around 28% had accessed the portal within the last year.Dec 2, 2019

What is the difference between a personal health record and a patient portal?

The Portal is controlled by the source system (EMR/EHR/Hospital). On the other hand, the Personal Health Record (PHR) is more patient centric, is controlled by a patient or family member, and may or may not be connected to a doctor or hospital (i.e. it may be tethered or untethered).Sep 6, 2012

What are the challenges of patient portals?

Other disadvantages of patient portals include alienation and health disparities. Alienation between patient and provider occurs for those who don't access these tools. Sometimes, this is due to health disparities if a person doesn't have a method for using them.Nov 11, 2021

Summary

Individuals’ rates of being offered and subsequently accessing their patient portal increased significantly between 2018 and 2019, but did not change in 2020.

Data Source and Methods

Data are from the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS).

Suggested Citation

Johnson C, Richwine C, & Patel V. (September 2021). Individuals’ Access and Use of Patient Portals and Smartphone Health Apps, 2020. ONC Data Brief, no.57. Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology: Washington DC.

What is a patient portal?

A patient portal is a digital tool that enables patients to securely access their medical records and interact with the health care system through the internet.

How do patient portals help?

Patient portals are digital health tools that provide patients with convenient, secure access to personal health information (such as laboratory results and medication lists), resources, and services such as appointment scheduling and secure messaging with providers. Patient portals have the potential to improve patient engagement with health and health care, decrease costs, and increase health care quality by facilitating health care system transactions (e.g., prescription refills), supporting patient-provider communication, and expediting access to medical records and relevant educational materials. Research indicates that patient portal use can increase patients’ understanding of their health conditions, improve patient safety, reduce caregiver burden, increase medication adherence, and improve the quality of both preventive and follow-up care. There is also some evidence to suggest that patient portal use can improve clinical outcomes.As a result of substantial investments in telehealth infrastructure and legislation mandating meaningful use of electronic health records, by 2015 most health care organizations in the United States offered patient portals. The COVID-19 pandemic has further increased reliance on technologies like patient portals to facilitate virtual visits, remote monitoring, and electronic communication with providers. However, by making these technologies more central to care, the pandemic has also highlighted the inequalities that exist in their use.