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Published on: February 19, 2021
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Which veterans enroll in a VA health information exchange program?
Brian E Dixon1,2,3, Susan Ofner4, Susan M Perkins2,4
1Center for Health Information and Communication, Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN bedixon@iupui.edu.
Summary
Patient enrollment in health information exchange (HIE) programs is influenced by age, gender, comorbidity, and healthcare utilization. Targeted strategies are needed to increase participation among underrepresented groups.
Area of Science:
- Health Informatics
- Health Services Research
- Patient Engagement
Background:
- Electronic health information exchange (HIE) facilitates data sharing between healthcare institutions.
- Understanding patient enrollment factors is crucial for optimizing HIE program success.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize patients who voluntarily enrolled in an HIE program connecting Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and non-VHA facilities.
- To identify patient demographics and characteristics associated with HIE enrollment.
Main Methods:
- A multivariable logistic regression model analyzed patient characteristics.
- Data included sociodemographics, comorbidity (Charlson index), healthcare utilization, and access factors.
- Patient data was sourced from VHA and HIE electronic health records.
Main Results:
- 12% of 57,072 patients enrolled in the HIE program within the first year.
- Enrollment likelihood increased with age (50-64), female gender, higher comorbidity, and greater healthcare utilization.
- Rural living and being unmarried were associated with decreased enrollment likelihood.
Conclusions:
- Patient HIE enrollment is multifactorial.
- Tailored recruitment and educational strategies are necessary to increase participation.
- Focusing on high-comorbidity or high-utilizing populations may refine HIE implementation success metrics.
