Exploring three perspectives on feasibility of a patient portal for older adults

It is not clear whether older adults with chronic disease and their caregivers are likely to use patient portals.

Older adults with a diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or congestive heart failure were evaluated as well as their caregivers. We explored whether these patients and/or their caregivers were able to use common portal elements. The perspective of informatics experts was ascertained using cognitive walkthrough methodology.

Fourteen patients and nineteen caregivers were evaluated. Patients required more time on all tasks than caregivers. Patient comments included a request for written instructions for using the system and a guide for interpreting lab results. Caregiver suggestions included improving color contrast and presentation of the current medication list. In the cognitive walkthrough, numerous problems were identified.

Older adults with chronic illness and caregivers were interested in using a patient portal however multiple barriers were identified.