title: Physician Perception of the Role of the Patient Portal in Pediatric Health.
abstract: The patient portal, increasingly available to patients, allows secure electronic communication with physicians. Although physician attitude toward the portal plays a crucial role in patient adoption, little information regarding physician opinion of the portal is available, with almost no information gathered in the pediatric environment. Using a mixed-methods approach, physicians in a large pediatric medical facility and integrated delivery network were surveyed using an online quantitative questionnaire and structured interviews. Physicians reported the portal's role in more communication efficiency for patients, parents, and providers. The portal's acceptance also introduces new challenges such as frequent questions from some parents and medical visit avoidance.
authors.affiliation: Beyster Institute for Nursing Research, University of San Diego, San Diego, California (Drs Bush and Connelly and Ms Pérez); Clinical Research Informatics, Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego, San Diego, California (Drs Bush, Kuelbs, and Chiang); Departments of Pediatrics (Dr Kuelbs) and Surgery (Dr Chiang), University of California San Diego, La Jolla; and Department of Psychology, School of Behavioral Health, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California (Mr Chan).
authors.forename: Ruth A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Bush
authors.forename: Cynthia D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Connelly
authors.forename: Alexa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pérez
authors.forename: Neilson
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Cynthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kuelbs
authors.forename: George J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Chiang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D000067576:Child Health; D016494:Computer Security; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D062527:Meaningful Use; D008875:Middle Aged; D000072638:Patient Portals; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires