Patient Perspectives on the Digitization of Personal Health Information in the Emergency Department: Mixed Methods Study During the COVID-19 Pandemic

BACKGROUND: Although the digitization of personal health information (PHI) has been shown to improve patient engagement in the primary care setting, patient perspectives on its impact in the emergency department (ED) are unknown. OBJECTIVE: The primary objective was to characterize the views of ED users in British Columbia, Canada, on the impacts of PHI digitization on ED care. METHODS: This was a mixed methods study consisting of an online survey followed by key informant interviews with a subset of survey respondents. ED users in British Columbia were asked about their ED experiences and attitudes toward PHI digitization in the ED. RESULTS: A total of 108 participants submitted survey responses between January and April 2020. Most survey respondents were interested in the use of electronic health records (79/105, 75%) and patient portals (91/107, 85%) in the ED and were amenable to sharing their ED PHI with ED staff (up to 90% in emergencies), family physicians (up to 91%), and family caregivers (up to 75%). In addition, 16 survey respondents provided key informant interviews in August 2020. Interviewees expected PHI digitization in the ED to enhance PHI access by health providers, patient-provider relationships, patient self-advocacy, and postdischarge care management, although some voiced concerns about patient privacy risk and limited access to digital technologies (eg, smart devices, internet connection). Many participants thought the COVID-19 pandemic could provide momentum for the digitization of health care. CONCLUSIONS: Patients overwhelmingly support PHI digitization in the form of electronic health records and patient portals in the ED. The COVID-19 pandemic may represent a critical moment for the development and implementation of these tools.