Examining Health Care Provider Experiences With Patient Portal Implementation: Mixed Methods Study.

Abstract

Background: Health systems are increasingly offering patient portals as tools for patients to access their health information with the goal of improving engagement in care. However, understanding health care providers' perspectives on patient portal implementation is crucial.

Objective: This study aimed to understand health care providers' experiences of implementing the MyChart patient portal, perspectives about its impact on patient care, clinical practice, and workload, and opportunities for improvement.

Methods: Using an explanatory sequential mixed methods approach, we conducted a web-based questionnaire and semistructured individual interviews with health care providers at a large Canadian community hospital, 6 months after MyChart was first offered to patients. We explored perspectives about the impact of MyChart on clinical practice, workload, and patient care. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis.

Results: In total, 261 health care providers completed the web-based questionnaire, and 15 also participated in interviews. Participants agreed that patients should have access to their health information through MyChart and identified its benefits such as patients gaining a greater understanding of their own health, which could improve patient safety (160/255, 62%). While many health care providers agreed that MyChart supported better patient care (108/258, 42%), there was limited understanding of features available to patients and expectations for integrating MyChart into clinical routines. Concerns were raised about the potential negative impacts of MyChart on patient-provider relationships because sensitive notes or results could be inappropriately interpreted (109/251, 43%), and a potential increase in workload if additional portal features were introduced. Suggested opportunities for improvement included support for both patients and health care providers to learn about MyChart and establishing guidelines for health care providers on how to communicate information available in MyChart to patients.

Conclusions: While health care providers acknowledged that MyChart improved patients' access to health information, its implementation introduced some friction and concerns. To reduce the risk of these challenges, health systems can benefit from engaging health care providers early to identify effective patient portal implementation strategies.