The Digital Divide and Patient Portals: Internet Access Explained Differences in Patient Portal Use for Secure Messaging by Age, Race, and Income

• Published in: Medical care Vol. 54; no. 8; p. 772
• Main Authors: Graetz, Ilana, Gordon, Nancy, Fung, Vick, Hamity, Courtnee, Reed, Mary E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.08.2016
• Subjects: Access to Information; Adult; Age Factors; Computer Security; Continental Population Groups; Cross-Sectional Studies; Demography; Diffusion of Innovation; Electronic Health Records; Female; Health Services Accessibility; Humans; Income; Internet; Male; Middle Aged; Patient Participation; Patient Preference

Online access to health records and the ability to exchange secure messages with physicians can improve patient engagement and outcomes; however, the digital divide could limit access to web-based portals among disadvantaged groups. To understand whether sociodemographic differences in patient porta...