Factors Associated With Portal and Telehealth Uptake and Use in a Minoritized, Low-Income Community: Mixed Methods...

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Digital Health Equity
• Health Disparities

Background:

• Patient portals and telehealth offer significant health benefits.
• Disparities in awareness, adoption, and use of these digital health tools are prevalent.
• Understanding factors influencing use in underserved populations is crucial for achieving digital equity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess patient portal and telehealth experiences in a minoritized, lower-resource community in Dallas, Texas.
• To identify factors associated with the adoption and utilization of digital health technologies.

Main Methods:

• An explanatory sequential design combining surveys and semistructured interviews.
• Recruitment through various channels including clinic partners and in-person outreach.
• Statistical analysis (Fisher exact tests) and thematic analysis of qualitative data.

Main Results:

• A majority of surveyed residents (72%) used patient portals and over half (54%) used telehealth.
• Lower educational attainment and being a Spanish speaker were associated with lower portal/telehealth use.
• Key factors for increased engagement included patient autonomy, integration into daily life, trusted recommendations, perceived value, social support, chronic illness management, and rapid test result access.

Conclusions:

• Findings confirm and extend understanding of technology adoption factors in underserved populations.
• Interventions should prioritize identified factors to promote digital and health equity.
• Future research should investigate optimal clinical settings and leverage community partnerships for digital health implementation.