Pattern of Use of Electronic Health Record (EHR) among the Chronically Ill: A Health Information National Trend Survey (HINTS) Analysis

Abstract

Effective patient–provider communication is a cornerstone of patient-centered care. Patient portals provide an effective method for secure communication between patients or their proxies and their health care providers. With greater acceptability of patient portals in private practices, patients have a unique opportunity to manage their health care needs. However, studies have shown that less than 50% of patients reported accessing the electronic health record (EHR) in a 12-month period. We used HINTS 5 cycle 1 and cycle 2 to assess disparities among US residents 18 and older with any chronic condition regarding the use of EHR for secure direct messaging with providers, to request refills, to make clinical decisions, or to share medical records with another provider. The results indicate that respondents with multimorbidity are more likely to share their medical records with other providers. However, respondents who are 75 and older are less likely to share their medical records with another provider. Additionally, respondents who are 65 and older are less likely to use the EHR for secure direct messaging with their provider. Additional health care strategies and provider communication should be developed to encourage older patients with chronic conditions to leverage the use of patient portals for effective disease management.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of atrial fibrillation in high altitude areas

“…This particular discovery underscores the exigency for campaigns that heighten awareness, elucidating AF’s potential ramifications among individuals devoid of pre-existing health conditions. The broad spectrum of attitudes, encompassing concerns regarding AF-related complications on one end and apathy or skepticism on the other, underscores the pivotal role of communication strategies ( 23 , 24 ). Clinicians can harness this comprehension to formulate patient-centric narratives, tailored to resonate with diverse dispositions, thereby fostering heightened engagement and empowerment.…”

The Power of Patient Engagement With Electronic Health Records as Research Participants

“…Over a quarter (28%) of US adults who live in rural areas do not have broadband internet service, which may partly explain why rural communities interact less with EHRs compared to their urban counterparts [ 22 , 24 ]. Also, individuals who are 65 years and older are less likely to use EHRs, and while smartphone ownership has risen in this group in recent years, only 42% report owning a smartphone (compared to 77% of all adults over 18 years) [ 23 , 25 ]. African American, Asian, and Latino race, younger age (ie, <35 years), and low education level are other factors associated with low engagement with EHR systems [ 26 ].…”

Association of multimorbidity with the use of health information technology

“…However, such trends diminished with the increase in respondents’ age. 10 Whereas another US national survey study found that even with geriatric patients with multimorbidity, their HIT use varied depending on certain sociodemographic factors including race, education level, region, and marital status. 8 In addition to the different HIT use with different demographic characteristics among individuals with multimorbidity, their HIT-seeking behavior could also be different when compared with their counterparts, indicating unique features of HIT uses among such a cohort.…”