HIMSS: Patient survey sends mixed messages about portals
LAS VEGAS—Patients want rapid access to laboratory results online, but they prefer providers to view results prior to them, and many, but not all, want providers, rather than a portal, to communicate radiology and pathology results, according to a survey conducted at Mayo Clinic, Florida and presented during an e-session at the annual meeting of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS).
Mayo Clinic implemented an online patient portal. However, as leaders considered policies about patient access to data online, they realized there was a dearth of information about patient preferences, said Mark A. Parkulo, MD, vice chair of the health information subcommittee at Mayo Clinic.
Parkulo and colleagues designed and administered a survey from Oct. 14, 2010, to Oct. 29, 2010, to understand patient preferences regarding access to personal medical information online.
A total of 1,972 respondents completed the survey. However, more than half of the population sampled was employed by Mayo Clinic.
Although most respondents had not used the Mayo Clinic website to view laboratory results, the majority indicated they would like to view lab results online. The feature may be particularly appealing to parents of young children or adult children caring for ill parents, Parkulo said.
Although the ability to view provider notes online is not available at Mayo Clinic, Parkulo and colleagues also asked respondents about their interest in this feature. “There was a high level of interest,” he said.
Respondents were split when asked other questions. Parkulo noted a fairly even split among respondents who wanted to view information immediately, within a few hours and within a day or two. However, no one wanted to wait more than a day or two to view information online, he said.
The survey also confirmed a potential problem with online patient portals. That is, a majority of respondents indicated they would be likely to view results before discussing their significance with their healthcare providers. A somewhat incongruous finding was the majority of patients preferred providers to view results before they did. In addition, many indicated they wanted providers to be available to discuss results when viewed, with phone or in-person communication topping email and other methods. “This might be challenging to implement,” said Parkulo.
Respondents also were divided on viewing radiology and pathology results. The majority indicated they preferred providers to review results and contact them before posting online. However, more than 30 percent wanted results posted even if the provider had not reviewed them.
“These findings should be taken into consideration during patient portal implementations…Practices that can meet patient demands for access will likely thrive in the future,” Parkulo said.
Mayo Clinic implemented an online patient portal. However, as leaders considered policies about patient access to data online, they realized there was a dearth of information about patient preferences, said Mark A. Parkulo, MD, vice chair of the health information subcommittee at Mayo Clinic.
Parkulo and colleagues designed and administered a survey from Oct. 14, 2010, to Oct. 29, 2010, to understand patient preferences regarding access to personal medical information online.
A total of 1,972 respondents completed the survey. However, more than half of the population sampled was employed by Mayo Clinic.
Although most respondents had not used the Mayo Clinic website to view laboratory results, the majority indicated they would like to view lab results online. The feature may be particularly appealing to parents of young children or adult children caring for ill parents, Parkulo said.
Although the ability to view provider notes online is not available at Mayo Clinic, Parkulo and colleagues also asked respondents about their interest in this feature. “There was a high level of interest,” he said.
Respondents were split when asked other questions. Parkulo noted a fairly even split among respondents who wanted to view information immediately, within a few hours and within a day or two. However, no one wanted to wait more than a day or two to view information online, he said.
The survey also confirmed a potential problem with online patient portals. That is, a majority of respondents indicated they would be likely to view results before discussing their significance with their healthcare providers. A somewhat incongruous finding was the majority of patients preferred providers to view results before they did. In addition, many indicated they wanted providers to be available to discuss results when viewed, with phone or in-person communication topping email and other methods. “This might be challenging to implement,” said Parkulo.
Respondents also were divided on viewing radiology and pathology results. The majority indicated they preferred providers to review results and contact them before posting online. However, more than 30 percent wanted results posted even if the provider had not reviewed them.
“These findings should be taken into consideration during patient portal implementations…Practices that can meet patient demands for access will likely thrive in the future,” Parkulo said.