Identifying indicators of meaningful patient portal use by psychiatric populations

The primary objective of this study was to identify meaningful indicators of patient portal use deemed important to psychiatric consumers. The secondary objectives were to uncover: 1) barriers and facilitators to patient portal use; and, 2) desired functionality of the technology by psychiatric consumers.

A qualitative descriptive study was conducted using focus groups consisting of psychiatric consumers, their family members/caregivers, and Peer Support Workers. Two members of the research team independently performed a content analysis, and came to agreement on the identified coding hierarchy and themes. A total of twenty-three participants took part in one of five focus groups. Engagement and empowerment, consumer experience and satisfaction, and quality of care were identified as outcome indicators. Privacy and security, portal usage, and usability were identified as important process indicators. A number of barriers and facilitators were identified. Finally, psychiatric consumers desired functionality of a patient portal were discussed.

Findings suggest that patient portal research among psychiatric populations can be conducted using many of the indicators that have previously been used for physical health populations. However, this study identified other unique considerations that should be accounted for when evaluating a patient portal among psychiatric populations.