title: Single-centre experience with Renal PatientView, a web-based system that provides patients with access to their laboratory results.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Renal PatientView (RPV) is a novel, web-based system in the UK that provides patients with access to their laboratory results, in conjunction with patient information.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To study how renal patients within our centre access and use RPV.
  
  
  METHODS
  We sent out questionnaires in December 2011 to all 651 RPV users under our care. We collected information on aspects such as the frequency and timing of RPV usage, the parameters viewed by users, and the impact of RPV on their care.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 295 (45 %) questionnaires were returned. The predominant users of RPV were transplant patients (42 %) followed by pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease patients (37 %). Forty-two percent of RPV users accessed their results after their clinic appointments, 38 % prior to visiting the clinic. The majority of patients (76 %) had used the system to discuss treatment with their renal physician, while 20 % of patients gave permission to other members of their family to use RPV to monitor results on their behalf. Most users (78 %) reported accessing RPV on average 1-5 times/month. Most patients used RPV to monitor their kidney function, 81 % to check creatinine levels, 57 % to check potassium results. Ninety-two percent of patients found RPV easy to use and 93 % felt that overall the system helps them in taking care of their condition; 53 % of patients reported high satisfaction with RPV.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results provide interesting insight into use of a system that gives patients web-based access to laboratory results. The fact that 20 % of patients delegate access to relatives also warrants further study. We propose that online access to laboratory results should be offered to all renal patients, although clinicians need to be mindful of the 'digital divide', i.e. part of the population that is not amenable to IT-based strategies for patient empowerment.
authors: Department of Renal Medicine, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Preston Hospital, Sharoe Green Lane, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 9HT, UK, Alex.Woywodt@lthtr.nhs.uk.
authors: Alexander
authors: A
authors: Woywodt
authors: Kervina
authors: K
authors: Vythelingum
authors: Scott
authors: S
authors: Rayner
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Anderton
authors: Aimun
authors: A
authors: Ahmed
mesh_terms: D022126:Access to Information; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001292:Attitude to Computers; D003950:Diagnostic Techniques, Urological; D057286:Electronic Health Records; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D055991:Health Records, Personal; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010358:Patient Participation; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult