Facilitators and Barriers of Electronic Health Record Patient Portal Adoption by Older Adults: A Literature Study

Gaby Anne Wildenbos, Linda Peute, Monique Jaspers

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterAcademicpeer-review

59 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Patient portal usage by older adults, patients aged 50 years old and above, is intended to improve their access and quality of care. Acceptance of patient portals by this target group is low. This paper discusses the results of a literature review to determine the facilitators and barriers that drive or inhibit older patients to adopt patient portals. Articles were included when they described an acceptance, adoption or usability evaluation study of a patient portal. From a total of 245 potentially relevant articles, 8 articles were finally included. We used the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) as a classification model to analyze factors influencing older adults' acceptance of patient portals. Main facilitators for acceptance were 'performance expectancy' and 'voluntariness of use' related to a higher level of education and experienced health. Main barriers were limited health literacy and motivation related to involuntariness to use a patient portal. Poor facilitation conditions (limited technology access and no prior knowledge on existence of a patient portal) hampered access to a portal. More thorough insight into the latter is needed to improve the reach and effectiveness of patient portals among older patients.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationInformatics for Health
Subtitle of host publicationConnected Citizen-Led Wellness and Population Health
EditorsRebecca Randell, Ronald Cornet, Philip J. Scott, Niels Peek, Colin McCowan
PublisherIOS Press
Pages308-312
Number of pages5
ISBN (Electronic)9781614997528
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017

Publication series

NameStudies in Health Technology and Informatics
Volume235

Keywords

  • Patient portal
  • UTAUT
  • acceptance
  • adoption
  • elderly
  • older adults

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