Older Patient Receptivity to the Integration of Patient Portals and Telehealth in Urogynecology: Promoters and Deterrents

Abstract

Importance Limited studies focus on the integration of online portals, including telehealth services, in urogynecology while identifying promoters and deterrents of utilization, especially for the older population. Objective This study aimed to identify facilitators, concerns, technical or personal issues encountered, and the desired features of the online patient portals among older urogynecology patients. Study Design This is a secondary analysis of a cross-sectional study of older patients (≥65 years). The survey was devised using 2 focus groups with questions addressing older patient practicality and comfort with virtual visits for menopause and urogynecology-specific conditions. Results A total of 205 patients completed the study. Promoters of use included health care professional encouragement, enrollment on site with concurrent education, and clarification of relevance of the virtual care to one's care. Patients who were uncomfortable with portal use reported anxiety and technical issues as deterrents for using such technology. More than half of the patients were comfortable having online visits for preoperative (51.7%), postoperative (66.3%), and medical management (73.7%). Up to 60.5% of the patients believed that virtual visits were equally stressful as in-person visits, whereas 24.4% believed that the logistics of in-person visits were the cause of stress. Conclusions To improve access to care, augment the utilization of online patient portals, and combat ageism, enhancing the older urogynecologic patient's portal experience is vital. Investment in this population's needs includes education of patients, active enrollment, and engagement by health care systems, and addressing technical concerns.