Patient portal utilization is increasing among older adults, with the number of users rising from 51% to 78% in the past five years, according to Michigan Medicine data. The COVID-19 pandemic played a role in driving this trend, along with the desire for greater control over healthcare. However, there are disparities across sociodemographic groups, and efforts to improve portal functionality, accessibility, and training are needed to ensure equity. Additionally, addressing barriers like limited broadband access is crucial to closing the digital divide among older adults.
The utilization of patient portals among older adults is on the rise, as indicated by data from Michigan Medicine. However, there is still work to be done in bridging the digital divide across different sociodemographic groups.
Over the past five years, the percentage of adults aged 50 to 80 who use patient portals for accessing their health data has increased by 27 points, from 51 percent to 78 percent, according to the Michigan Medicine National Poll on Healthy Aging.
This upward trend can be attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, which prompted both patients and healthcare providers to explore remote connection systems. Alongside telehealth, patient portals gained prominence as more individuals checked their COVID-19 test results and took greater control of their overall well-being. Denise Anthony, a professor, and chair at the School of Public Health at the University of Michigan, emphasized the importance of secure portal access for older adults who wish to connect with their doctors and healthcare providers virtually. However, the existing disparities revealed in the poll are cause for concern.
Anthony suggested that improving the functionality and accessibility of portal systems, along with providing outreach and training to help patients understand and use these systems, is crucial for achieving equity in healthcare. Furthermore, the poll highlighted that older adults are using proxy functions within patient portals. Proxy access allows a designated caregiver or loved one to view the patient’s portal, which is particularly useful for older adults under the care of a spouse or adult child.
The poll also revealed that the percentage of users granting proxy patient portal access to others has increased from 43 percent in 2018 to 49 percent. Among those granting proxy access, 40 percent assigned it to a spouse or partner. It was found that 48 percent of men granted proxy access compared to 32 percent of women.
Jeffrey Kullgren, an associate professor of internal medicine at Michigan Medicine, emphasized the positive impact of patient portal utilization on patient engagement. Numerous studies have shown that patients who use portals to access their health information are more likely to take an active role in their care and adhere to treatment plans, leading to improved outcomes.
Contrary to previous beliefs, older adults are increasingly comfortable with technology, dispelling the notion that they are more hesitant to use patient portals. However, despite the increasing utilization rates among older adults, there are still disparities. Older adults with incomes below $60,000 annually, as well as Black and Hispanic older adults, have lower patient portal utilization rates compared to their high-income and White counterparts. These groups also reported lower comfort levels in using patient portals.
The survey also found that individuals with self-reported fair or poor physical or mental health were less confident in their ability to use patient portal technology, particularly in terms of logging in and navigating the tool. Additionally, even among those who liked using patient portals for accessing their health data, the majority still preferred using the phone for other tasks such as scheduling appointments or communicating with clinicians.
The researchers suggested that healthcare organizations should provide patient portal training and support to engage patients who have not yet activated their portal accounts. This is especially important for patients with complex health needs or multiple conditions.
The poll indicated that approximately 27 percent of patients, including current portal users, expressed a desire to learn more about using the technology. This desire was more prominent among individuals with household incomes below $60,000, Hispanics or Blacks, and those who have not used the patient portal recently.
However, there are barriers to patient portal utilization that extend beyond patient comfort and knowledge. Issues like limited broadband access disproportionately affect low-income individuals residing in rural areas. To address the digital divide, clinicians should advocate for improved broadband access, particularly among vulnerable communities and individuals, as highlighted by Indira Venkat, AARP senior vice president of research.
Closing the digital divide among older adults is critical for improving their well-being, especially in terms of accessing essential digital healthcare services like patient portals.
