HHS researchers examined how recently diagnosed patients and survivors used electronic health information by comparing their frequency to those who had never been diagnosed with cancer using data from the National Cancer Institute.
A patient’s life is not only changed when a cancer diagnosis is confirmed, but they also have a lot to learn as they make decisions about their care.
Researchers from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services stated in a recent report that looks at the usage of electronic health information that “having access to online medical records via patient portals or smartphone-based health apps is critical” for cancer survivors and those managing a recent diagnosis.
REASONS WHY IT MATTER
Researchers from HHS’s Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy and Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT examined how people with cancer, survivors, and others accessed and used health information between 2020 and 2022 using data from the National Cancer Institute’s nationally representative Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS).
80% of people who received a cancer diagnosis between 2020 and 2022 were given access to their online medical information, according to the latest data brief from ASTP/ONC. This is a 38% increase from the number of people who received a diagnosis between 2017 and 2018 and were given access to their electronic health records (EHRs).
In an attempt to evaluate the effects of health communication, the researchers examined almost 10,000 survey responses from HINTS 5 Cycle 4 (2020) and HINTS 6 (2022). They discovered that the percentage of people who accessed an EHR was higher for those who had recently been diagnosed with cancer (82%) as opposed to those who had never been diagnosed with cancer (71%) and those who had never had cancer (72%).
40% of the study’s recently diagnosed participants viewed their patient portal or online medical data six or more times in a single year, compared to roughly 25% of cancer survivors and 23% of people who have never had the disease.
Patients can participate actively in their treatment and survivorship journeys by downloading or sharing information with their expanding care teams, messaging clinicians around-the-clock, and viewing their test results and clinical notes online.
“Frequent access among individuals with a recent diagnosis may be attributable to more frequent healthcare visits following a diagnosis,” the investigators stated. Additionally, they mentioned research demonstrating a positive correlation between the adoption of patient portals and increased perceptions of patient-centered communication among cancer patients.
In the study, patients who were less experienced in managing their cancer were more likely to use several technological ways to obtain their electronic medical records. More than half of those who examined test results reported having numerous patient portals; on average, 59% reported having 2.2 portals.
But as cancer patients transition to survivorship, fewer EHRs are being used.
Cancer survivors (52%) and respondents to the HINTS survey who had never had cancer (47%), in comparison to those who had just received a cancer diagnosis, visited their online medical data once a year.
It’s interesting to note that survivors reported having fewer patient portals than individuals who never had cancer (43% vs. 48%), with survivors reporting 1.2 portals on average.
The more significant trend
In order to empower patients to take an active role in their own care and comprehend their unique situation, many clinicians have concentrated on providing vital information to cancer patients.
Frank McGillin, CEO of The Clinic by Cleveland Clinic, stated that the organization has endeavored to assist oncology patients in facing their diagnoses and making decisions by providing them with online access to doctors through telehealth. The Cleveland Clinic is a leader in providing virtual care delivery.
According to McGillin’s statement to HealthcareITNews last year, telehealth has only helped cancer patients’ care experiences.
As he put it, “People are confused.” They seek second opinions from the provider’s specialists in order to determine which course of action is best for them when presented with many treatment options.
IN THE RECORD
“Patient portals and smartphone-based health apps, which help enable individuals to manage information from multiple online medical records or patient portals, can help bridge the gap in cancer care by providing an electronic means of navigating care and facilitating patient-provider communication,” the study authors stated.
Senior Editor at Healthcare IT News is Andrea Fox.
Contact: afox@himss.org
A magazine of HIMSS Media is Healthcare IT News.
