Patient Adoption and Utilization of a Web-Based and Mobile-Based Portal for Collecting Outcomes After Elective Orthopedic Surgery. (November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bell, Kerri; Warnick, Eugene; Nicholson, Kristen; Ulcoq, Sarah; Kim, Seong Jin; Schroeder, Gregory D.; Vaccaro, Alexander
• Is Part Of: American journal of medical quality. Volume 33:Number 6(2018)
• Page Start: 649
• Page End: 656
• Publication Date: 2018-11
• Subjects: patient portal -- mobile health application -- patient–provider communication -- patient-reported outcomes; Medical care -- Quality control -- Periodicals; Medical care -- Evaluation -- Periodicals; Medical care -- Utilization review -- Periodicals; Medical care -- United States -- Periodicals; 362.1
• DOI: 10.1177/1062860618765083
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1062-8606

Abstract

Health care increasingly collects patient-reported outcomes (PROs) via web-based platforms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate how patient age influences portal engagement. Patients undergoing elective surgery at a single multispecialty orthopedic practice from September 2014 to February 2017 had access to an online portal to complete PROs, message the clinic, and view physical therapy instructions. A mobile app was optionally available. Age, sex, log-in frequency, PRO completion rates, and number of messages sent were reviewed retrospectively. Message frequency, log-in rates, and PRO compliance were highest for patients aged 41 to 50, 51 to 60, and 61 to 70, respectively. Mobile app use decreased with age ( P = .002); yet, at all ages, the mobile app group was more engaged. In particular, for patients aged 18 to 30 years, log-in frequency increased 2.5-fold and PRO compliance improved 44% ( P < .001) in the mobile app group. This study demonstrates that portal interaction varies by age and that data capture is highest in patients who choose the mobile app.