Tech + touch: A pilot study to facilitate access to health information technology for Spanish-speaking parents

As Spanish-speaking parents face many barriers to care, we sought to: (1) understand HIT experiences and preferences; (2) pilot test a tablet/navigator intervention; (3) understand HIT uses and barriers.

Prospective, uncontrolled, non-randomized, pilot intervention examining facilitated access to a patient portal for Spanish-speaking parents. Parents were recruited from pediatric specialty clinics in an academic center. Parents received an electronic tablet pre-populated with health resources, plus 2 telephone calls from a navigator. Surveys assessed HIT perceptions/use; portal activation was assessed through electronic records.

Twenty-five Spanish-speaking parents were enrolled. All parents wished they knew more about their child's health and that doctors knew them better. Most parents endorsed interest in HIT, however only 12% activated portals. Post-intervention, there were non-significant increases in using portals to make appointments, receive reminders, send/receive messages, and view labs/instructions. Uses of study tablets included video visits (56%), health/COVID information (16%), and schoolwork (16%).

Spanish-speaking parents express high interest in HIT. Provision of tablets may augment electronic capacity and facilitate video visits. Greater Spanish-language support is needed for Spanish-speaking parents to meaningfully use portals.