Improving health care proxy documentation using a web-based interview through a patient portal.

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Patient Engagement
• Advance Care Planning

Background:

• Health care proxy (HCP) documentation is often suboptimal.
• Improving the selection and documentation of HCPs is crucial for patient-centered care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a web-based interview for guiding patients in selecting a health care proxy.
• To capture patient-selected HCP information directly into the electronic health record (EHR).

Main Methods:

• A web-based HCP interview was developed and implemented within a patient portal.
• The experience of the first 200 patients using the portal was analyzed, including demographic and clinical factors.
• Qualitative methods were used to analyze user comments on their experience.

Main Results:

• 139 of 200 patients submitted their HCP information via the EHR.
• Patients without prior HCP documentation were more likely to complete and submit their information (OR 2.4, P=.005).
• Qualitative feedback indicated the interview reminded, encouraged, and facilitated HCP completion.

Conclusions:

• Patients found the online interview convenient and helpful for HCP selection and documentation.
• A web-based interview is a feasible and useful tool for collecting and sharing patient HCP information.