Katherine M Riera1, Jamie R Robinson2, Kyle J Van Arendonk3, Gretchen P Jackson4. 1. Department of Pediatric Surgery, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville, Tennessee. Electronic address: katherine.m.riera@vumc.org. 2. Department of Pediatric Surgery, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville, Tennessee; Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee. 3. Department of Pediatric Surgery, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville, Tennessee. 4. Department of Pediatric Surgery, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville, Tennessee; Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee; Department of Pediatrics, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville, Tennessee.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Patient portals are online applications that typically allow users to interact with providers using secure messaging. Portal messaging use and content have not been studied in pediatric surgical specialties. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We obtained all message threads initiated by pediatric patients/caregivers and sent to pediatric surgical providers through the Vanderbilt University Medical Center patient portal from June 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014. We collected patient demographics and providers' surgical specialties. We determined the number of message threads and individual messages sent by patients/caregivers and providers by specialty. Message content was analyzed by semantic types using a validated consumer health taxonomy. RESULTS: Most threads were about male (176, 60.3%), white (239, 81.8%), non-Hispanic (278, 95.2%) patients with a median age of 6 y (range: 0-21 y). A total of 292 message threads containing 1679 individual messages were sent with mean 5.8 (standard deviation [SD] 5.0) messages per thread. Messages were sent more frequently regarding younger patients (P = 0.001). Physicians directly contributed to 161 (55%) message threads. Otolaryngology received the most threads (123, 42.1%) and messages (790, 47.1%). Specialties exchanging the most messages per thread were cardiac surgery (mean 7.0, SD 11.7), and dermatology (7.0, SD 6.9). Most message threads (273, 93.5%) involved delivery of medical care with 123 (42.1%) involving appointments/scheduling; 99 (33.9%) medical problems; 81 (27.7%) treatments; 68 (23.3%) testing; and 29 (9.9%) referrals. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric surgeons deliver substantial care within portal messages exchanged with pediatric patients and caregivers. Institutions adopting portals should consider effects on provider workload and potential disparities in access to care.
BACKGROUND:Patient portals are online applications that typically allow users to interact with providers using secure messaging. Portal messaging use and content have not been studied in pediatric surgical specialties. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We obtained all message threads initiated by pediatric patients/caregivers and sent to pediatric surgical providers through the Vanderbilt University Medical Center patient portal from June 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014. We collected patient demographics and providers' surgical specialties. We determined the number of message threads and individual messages sent by patients/caregivers and providers by specialty. Message content was analyzed by semantic types using a validated consumer health taxonomy. RESULTS: Most threads were about male (176, 60.3%), white (239, 81.8%), non-Hispanic (278, 95.2%) patients with a median age of 6 y (range: 0-21 y). A total of 292 message threads containing 1679 individual messages were sent with mean 5.8 (standard deviation [SD] 5.0) messages per thread. Messages were sent more frequently regarding younger patients (P = 0.001). Physicians directly contributed to 161 (55%) message threads. Otolaryngology received the most threads (123, 42.1%) and messages (790, 47.1%). Specialties exchanging the most messages per thread were cardiac surgery (mean 7.0, SD 11.7), and dermatology (7.0, SD 6.9). Most message threads (273, 93.5%) involved delivery of medical care with 123 (42.1%) involving appointments/scheduling; 99 (33.9%) medical problems; 81 (27.7%) treatments; 68 (23.3%) testing; and 29 (9.9%) referrals. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric surgeons deliver substantial care within portal messages exchanged with pediatric patients and caregivers. Institutions adopting portals should consider effects on provider workload and potential disparities in access to care.
Authors: Maria T Britto; Holly B Jimison; Jennifer Knopf Munafo; Jennifer Wissman; Michelle L Rogers; William Hersh Journal: J Am Med Inform Assoc Date: 2009-06-30 Impact factor: 4.497
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