title: Patient Portal as a Tool for Enhancing Patient Experience and Improving Quality of Care in Primary Care Practices.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study assessed whether patient portals influence patients' ability for self-management, improve their perception of health state, improve their experience with primary care practices, and reduce healthcare utilization.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients participating in a nurse-led care coordination program received personalized training to use the portal to communicate with the care team. Data analysis included pre-post comparison of self-efficacy (CDSES), health state (EQVAS), functional status (PROMIS®), experience with the provider/practice (CG-CAHPS), and healthcare utilization (admissions and ED visits).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 94 patients were enrolled, and 92 (Intent to Treat) were followed up for 7 months to assess their experience, and for 12 months to assess healthcare utilization. Seventy four (mean age 60+13 years) used the portal (Users). Comparison between baseline and 7-month follow-up showed no statistically significant improvements in self-efficacy, perception of health state or experience with the primary care practice. Only functional status improved significantly. ED visits/1000 patients were reduced by 26% and 21% in the Intent to Treat and Users groups, respectively. Hospital admissions/1000 patients were reduced by 46% in the Intent to Treat group and by 38% in the Users group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For patients in care coordination, having access to patient portals may improve access to providers and health data that lead to improvements in patients' functional status and reduce high-cost healthcare utilization, but it does not seem to improve self-efficacy, perception of health state, or experience with primary care practices.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this study, the use of patient portals improved functional status and reduced high-cost healthcare utilization in patients with chronic conditions.
authors.affiliation: Eastern Maine Medical Center.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sorondo
authors.affiliation: Eastern Maine Medical Center.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.affiliation: Eastern Maine Medical Center.
authors.forename: Samreen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fathima
authors.affiliation: Eastern Maine Medical Center.
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bayleran
authors.affiliation: Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems.
authors.forename: Iyad
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sabbagh
keywords: Delivery of Health Care; Electronic Health Record; Meaningful Use; Patient Care Management; Patient Portal; Patient-Centered Care