JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Patient portals have the potential to improve care for the chronically ill by specifically engaging them in their treatment. These platforms can work, for example, as a stand-alone component of self-management or a fixed link to treatment providers in routine care. Many different types of these portals now exist for different patient groups, with various features.

Objective:

This scoping review aims to summarize current literature on patient portals for patients with diabetes mellitus and chronic heart disease regarding their usage behaviour and usability.

Methods:

We performed database searches using PubMed, PsycInfo and CINAHL as well as additional searches in reviews and reference lists. We restricted our search to 2010. Qualitative, quantitative and studies using both approaches analysing usage behaviour or usability of patient portals were eligible. We mapped portal features according to broad thematic categories and summarized results of included studies separately according to outcome and research design.

Results:

We included 76 studies. Most studies were about patients with diabetes and were from the USA. Portals mostly provided educational, monitoring and communication-related features. Result categories included usage behaviour including associated variables, dimensions of usability, and suggestions for improvement. In terms of usage behaviour, a noticeable decline in portal usage over time was reported. Regarding factors associated with portal use, the results were heterogeneous, although older age tended to be associated with less frequent use. For usability barriers and suggestions for improvement, technical issues and need for support were the most common themes.

Conclusions:

The current state of research emphasizes the importance of involving patients in the development and evaluation of patient portals. Future reviews should increasingly focus on elderly patients and the role of burden of disease in the use and usability of patient portals.