Patient and Provider Experience of Electronic Patient Portals and Secure Messaging in Mental Health Treatment

Carolyn L Turvey; Lindsey A Fuhrmeister; Dawn M Klein; Jane Moeckli; M Bryant Howren; Emily E Chasco

doi:10.1089/tmj.2020.0395

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Patient and Provider Experience of Electronic Patient Portals and Secure Messaging in Mental Health Treatment

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Patient and Provider Experience of Electronic Patient Portals and Secure Messaging in Mental Health Treatment

Carolyn L Turvey, Lindsey A Fuhrmeister, Dawn M Klein, Jane Moeckli, M Bryant Howren and Emily E Chasco

Telemedicine journal and e-health, Vol.28(2), pp.189-198

02/2022

DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2020.0395

PMCID: PMC8941946

PMID: 33887164

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url

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/8941946View

Open Access

Abstract

Electronic health record patient portals were promoted to enhance patient engagement. However, organizations often deny patient access to records of treatment for mental health disorders. This study explores patient and provider experience of patient electronic access to the mental health treatment record and the use of secure messaging. Online surveys of a sample of mental health patients ( = 168) and providers ( = 80) addressed their experience using patient portals and secure messaging. Only 29 of the 80 providers (36%) worked at organizations which provided patients electronic access to mental health records. Of these 29 providers, 72% endorsed that patients requested a change in the provider note, 69% endorsed patients asked more questions, 55% endorsed patients reported they experienced significant distress after accessing portal, and 21% reported patients engaged in negative and/or self-destructive behavior toward themselves or others. Of patients with access to mental health notes ( = 37), 86% endorsed that they gained a better understanding of what was discussed in the appointment, 84% trusted their health care provider more, 76% felt comforted or relieved after reading their health information, and 57% reported they were better able to take medications as prescribed. Both patients and providers enjoyed the efficiency of secure messaging. Open-text responses are also presented. The implementation of electronic access to mental health notes requires a transition from viewing the medical record as the exclusive tool of providers to that of a collaborative tool for patients and providers to achieve treatment goals.

Electronic Health Records

Electronics

Humans

Mental Health

Patient Participation

Patient Portals

Details

Title: Subtitle: Patient and Provider Experience of Electronic Patient Portals and Secure Messaging in Mental Health Treatment
Creators: Carolyn L Turvey - Iowa City VA Health Care System
Lindsey A Fuhrmeister - University of Iowa
Dawn M Klein - Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine
Jane Moeckli - Iowa City VA Health Care System
M Bryant Howren - Iowa City VA Health Care System
Emily E Chasco - University of Iowa
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Telemedicine journal and e-health, Vol.28(2), pp.189-198
DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2020.0395
PMID: 33887164
PMCID: PMC8941946
NLM abbreviation: Telemed J E Health
ISSN: 1530-5627
eISSN: 1556-3669
Grant note: R21 HS025785 / AHRQ HHS
Language: English
Date published: 02/2022
Academic Unit: Psychiatry; Epidemiology; Psychological and Brain Sciences; Institute for Clinical and Translational Science; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9984281655502771

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