Beyond adoption: individual differences in the use of personal health record features in an integrated healthcare organisation

The objective of this study is to determine which Personal Health Record (PHR) features were being used most by individuals registered to use the patient portal of an integrated healthcare organisation and to examine how utilisation of those features varied based on patients’ demographic characteristics. Data from the organisations’ patient research panel combined with administrative and patient portal usage information served as the basis for the analyses. The most frequently used PHR features were online laboratory test results, patient-physician secure email, online prescription refills and online appointment scheduling. We found support for differential use of PHR features based on patients’ age, race/ethnicity and income. This study is unique in that it combined self-reported demographic data with actual PHR feature use. This paper confirms the utility of using granular approaches to study PHR use.