This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Data Supplement All Versions of this Article: M2302v1 14/6/798    most recent Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Ralston, J. D. Articles by Hereford, J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Ralston, J. D. Articles by Hereford, J.

Patient Web Services Integrated with a Shared Medical Record: Patient Use and Satisfaction

Group Health Cooperative, Seattle, WA.

^_* Correspondence: James D. Ralston, MD, MPH, Center for Health Studies, Group Health Cooperative, 1730 Minor Avenue, Suite 1600, Seattle, WA 98101-1448 (Email: ralston.j{at}ghc.org).

Received for publication: 10/05/06; accepted for publication: 07/26/07.

Objectives: This study sought to describe the evolution, use, and user satisfaction of a patient Web site providing a shared medical record between patients and health professionals at Group Health Cooperative, a mixed-model health care financing and delivery organization based in Seattle, Washington.

Design: This study used a retrospective, serial, cross-sectional study from September 2002 through December 2005 and a mailed satisfaction survey of a random sampling of 2,002 patients.

Measurements: This study measured the adoption and use of a patient Web site (MyGroupHealth) from September 2002 through December 2005.

Results: As of December 2005, 25% (105,047) of all Group Health members had registered and completed an identification verification process enabling them to use all of the available services on MyGroupHealth. Identification verification was more common among patients receiving care in the Integrated Delivery System (33%) compared with patients receiving care in the network (7%). As of December 2005, unique monthly user rates per 1,000 adult members were the highest for review of medical test results (54 of 1,000), medication refills (44 of 1,000), after-visit-summaries (32 of 1,000), and patient–provider clinical messaging (31 of 1,000). The response rate for the patient satisfaction survey was 46% (n = 921); 94% of survey respondents were satisfied or very satisfied with MyGroupHealth overall. Patients reported highest satisfaction (satisfied or very satisfied) for medication refills (96%), patient–provider messaging (93%), and medical test results (86%).

Conclusion: Use and satisfaction with MyGroupHealth were greatest for accessing services and information involving ongoing, active care and patient–provider communication. Tight integration of Web services with clinical information systems and patient–provider relationships may be important in meeting the needs of patients.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				B. B. Green, A. J. Cook, J. D. Ralston, P. A. Fishman, S. L. Catz, J. Carlson, D. Carrell, L. Tyll, E. B. Larson, and R. S. Thompson Effectiveness of Home Blood Pressure Monitoring, Web Communication, and Pharmacist Care on Hypertension Control: A Randomized Controlled Trial JAMA, June 25, 2008; 299(24): 2857 - 2867. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]