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Using claims data to examine patients using practice-based Internet communication: is there a clinical digital
Susan H Swartz1, Timothy M Cowan, Ida A Batista
1Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Maine Medical Center, 22 Bramhall St, Portland, ME 04102, USA. swarts@mmc.org
Journal of Medical Internet Research
|April 28, 2004
Summary
Patients using online patient portals are often older, have insurance, and more clinic visits. This identifies individuals with health risks for targeted online education.
Area of Science:
- Health Informatics
- Digital Health
- Patient Engagement
Background:
- Practice-based internet communication offers personalized websites for patient health information access and requests.
- Online tools hold potential for patient education and behavior change initiatives.
- Understanding user demographics is crucial for optimizing these digital health services.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize patients utilizing internet-based communication with a medical practice.
- To analyze demographic and clinical factors associated with online patient portal use.
Main Methods:
- Examined patient claims data from clinical encounters (January 1999–May 2000).
- Assessed relationships between demographics, visit frequency, acute/chronic diagnoses, and online communication use.
Main Results:
- Ten percent of all patients, and 13.2% of those 18+, used the practice website.
- Website use varied by age and insurance status, but not gender.
- Patients with acute/chronic conditions and higher visit frequency were more likely to use the online service.
Conclusions:
- Administrative data can identify patients using online communication who have significant health risks.
- This presents an opportunity for targeted online educational interventions to improve health outcomes.