Patient Electronic Health Record Portal Use and Patient-Centered Outcomes in CKD

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE: Electronic health record portals are increasingly emphasized in chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, associations of portal use with clinical and patient-centered outcomes remain unknown. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey (April 2015 to March 2018). SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: Nondialysis patients with CKD from nephrology clinics within 1 academic medical center. EXPOSURES: Patient demographics (age, sex, race, ethnicity, education, and income), kidney function. OUTCOMES: Association between portal use as an outcome and exposures. Additionally, associations of portal use and patient demographics with 4 patient–centered outcomes (CKD-specific knowledge, stress, and 2 self-ratings of health). ANALYTIC APPROACH: Logistic regression to examine associations between patient portal use, demographics, and kidney function. Linear regression to examine associations between portal use and patient-centered outcomes. RESULTS: Of 245 participants, mean age was 60 ± 17 (SD) years, 182 (77%) were White, 121 (49%) were women, 230 (96%) had a high school education or higher, and 96 (45%) had <$50,000 annual income. Examining portal use, 159 (65%) used the portal as follows: checking laboratory test results, 157 (99%); managing appointments, 133 (84%); messaging providers, 131 (82%); viewing medical history, 127 (80%); reviewing educational resources, 113 (71%); and renewing prescriptions, 98 (62%). African Americans (OR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.16-0.72 vs White patients), patients with less formal education (OR, 0.06; 95% CI, 0.01-0.36), and those with lower income (OR, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.13-0.60; and OR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.12-0.54 comparing income < $25,000 and $25,000-$50,000, respectively, with ≥$50,000) had lower odds of using the portal. In adjusted analysis, only lower income predicted lower portal use. Examining patient-centered outcomes in univariable analysis, portal users had higher knowledge (β = 4.89; P = 0.02), higher ratings of current health (β = 0.28; P = 0.03), and lower CKD-related stress (β = −0.18; P = 0.05). In adjusted analysis, only patient demographics and/or kidney function remained independent predictors of patient-centered outcomes. LIMITATIONS: Cross-sectional study design, cannot determine causality. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions are needed to ensure that all patients have access to portals to mitigate disparities in care.