A novel approach to patient portal activation data to power equity improvements

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.