Impact of patient portal-based self-scheduling of diagnostic imaging studies on health disparities. (5th September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ganeshan, Smitha; Pierce, Logan; Mourad, Michelle; Judson, Timothy J; Kohli, Marc D; Odisho, Anobel Y; Brown, William
• Is Part Of: Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association. Volume 29:Number 12(2022)
• Page Start: 2096
• Page End: 2100
• Publication Date: 2022-09-05
• Subjects: medical informatics applications -- telehealth -- eHealth -- mobile Health -- patient web portal; Medical informatics -- Periodicals; Information Services -- Periodicals; Medical Informatics -- Periodicals; Médecine -- Informatique -- Périodiques; Informatica; Geneeskunde; Informatique médicale; Computer network resources; Electronic journals; 610.285
• DOI: 10.1093/jamia/ocac152
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1067-5027

Abstract

Abstract: While many case studies have described the implementation of self-scheduling tools, which allow patients to schedule visits and imaging studies asynchronously online, none have explored the impact of self-scheduling on equitable access to care. 1 Using an electronic health record patient portal, University of California San Francisco deployed a self-scheduling tool that allowed patients to self-schedule diagnostic imaging studies. We analyzed electronic health record data for the imaging modalities with the option to be self-scheduled from January 1, 2021 to September 1, 2021. We used descriptive statistics to compare demographic characteristics and created a multivariable logistic regression model to identify predictors of patient self-scheduling utilization. Among all active patient portal users, Latinx, Black/African American, and non-English speaking patients were less likely to self-schedule studies. Patients with Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program, and Medicare insurance were also less likely to self-schedule when compared with commercially insured patients. Efforts to facilitate use of patient portal-based applications are necessary to increase equitability and decrease disparities in access.