An evaluation of patient web portal engagement: An exploratory study of patients with hypertension and diabetes

The American healthcare system will need to oversee increasing numbers of patients with chronic disease while coping with a nursing and primary care provider shortage. One way to improve chronic disease self-management is by using patient-centered health information technology such as the patient web portal (PWP). In this exploratory evaluation, we conducted a one-year retrospective analysis of web portals usage by 187 diabetic, hypertensive or diabetic and hypertensive patients at an outpatient family practice clinic managed by nurse practitioners. PWP usage by hypertensive and diabetic chronically ill patients, gender, and PWP feature use were evaluated. Data suggest that female patients were significantly more likely to activate their PWPs than males, and the preferred PWP feature was secure messaging. The diagnosis of hypertension versus diabetes or both conditions did predict the likelihood of PWP use (p <.05). PWP use provided opportunities for the patients to be engaged in their healthcare, and this exploratory evaluation exhibits how nurses may use PWPs to improve chronic disease self-management by encouraging self-management behaviors. Strategies to improve PWP activity and use among men should be considered in the future. Nursing knowledge of portal use and limitations is important for chronic disease management.