Across the nation, patient portals have proliferated as tools to access information in electronic health records. Patient portals act as communication hubs between patients and providers. Due to their remote access and ease of use, patient portals are a method for returning genetic testing results. Also, patient portals may be used to deliver online education or provide virtual navigation throughout the cancer care continuum. However, there are well-documented disparities in access to technology (Digital Divide), which may limit patient portal use for many patients. We analyzed the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS, 6 Cycle 1, 2022) data to explore associations between patient portal use and the uptake of disease-specific genetic testing. We measured the frequency of patient portal use to identify parallels between the digital divide and social determinants of health (education, income, housing, transportation, and food insecurity). We observed differences in portal use where individuals aged 65+, those who acquired less education, had lower incomes and experienced food, housing, and transportation insecurity were more likely to indicate no awareness or very little use of patient portals. Further studies on the parallels between the digital divide and social determinants of health are important to reduce inequity in access to genetic evaluation, testing, and the return of results through patient portals.
Authors: Xavier Williams, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine; Lynette Hammond Gerido, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
