Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 11, 2025
E-Patient Counseling Trial E-PACO: Computer Based Education versus Nurse Counseling for Patients to Prepare for Colonoscopy
Published on: August 1, 2019
Measurement, drivers, and outcomes of patient-initiated secure messaging use and intensity: a scoping review
Aleksandra Wec1, Kelly T Gleason2, Danielle Peereboom1
1Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States.
Objective:
Use of secure messaging through the patient portal has increased in recent years. We compile evidence of how patient-initiated secure messaging has been measured, factors associated with use, and effects on individual and organization-level outcomes.
Materials And Methods:
We conducted a scoping review of articles published through October 2023 by systematically searching PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL. The search identified 2574 articles; 220 were selected for full text review and 78 met eligibility criteria. Factors and outcomes associated with messaging were organized according to the System Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety (SEIPS) 2.0 framework.
Results:
Of 78 included studies, 70 (90%) specified the measurement approach: measuring any messaging use versus none (binary measure) (27/70; 39%), intensity of use (34/70; 49%), or both (9/70; 13%). Studies predominantly examined patient (vs clinician) characteristics (48/78; 62%), findings that patients of female sex, White race, higher socioeconomic status, and greater comorbidity were more likely to message and with greater intensity. Factors in other domains of the SEIPS framework such as tasks (7/78; 9%), tools/technology (5/78; 6%), organizational (7/78; 9%), and environmental (11/78; 14%) factors were examined less frequently, with mixed findings. Outcomes of secure messaging (23/78; 30%) were generally favorable with respect to clinical outcomes (10/23; 43%), efficiency (5/23; 22%), and care experience (5/23; 22%) and mixed with respect to health services use.
Discussion:
Patient-initiated messaging use has been variably measured, with notable gaps in our understanding of the role of organization-level factors.
Conclusion:
Evidence is needed to inform approaches implemented by healthcare systems to manage the growing volume of patient-initiated messages.
More Related Videos
06:16Involving Individuals with Developmental Language Disorder and Their Parents/Carers in Research Priority Setting
Published on: June 6, 2020
07:31Implementation of a Real-Time Psychosis Risk Detection and Alerting System Based on Electronic Health Records using CogStack
Published on: May 15, 2020
Related Concept Videos
01:25Ethical Standards I
The Code of Ethics provisions outline the nurse's duty to the patient, the healthcare team, the profession, and society. The Code's fundamental principles include advocacy,...
01:21Barriers to Effective Communication II
Cultural barriers:
Differences in values, beliefs, religion, knowledge, and tradition can significantly impact communication. Awareness of nonverbal cues is critical, especially when conversing with a patient from a different culture. What appears appropriate in one culture may be inappropriate in another.
Semantic barriers:
As a result of their tendency to use...
01:18Guidelines and Strategies for Safe Computer Charting
Maintain Confidentiality and Security:
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
01:26Types of Reports III: Telephone and Verbal Reports
Here's an overview of each type:
Telephone Orders
01:08Role of Communication in the Nursing Process III: Evaluation and Documentation