Recent studies have revealed significant racial health disparities in the use of patient portals, highlighting that the technology is not serving all populations equitably. Despite nearly two-thirds of patients activating their portals, activation rates vary markedly by race: 76.1% of White patients compared to much lower rates for Black (57%), Hispanic (55%), and Asian patients (57.6%). Furthermore, even when racial minorities enroll, they often experience poorer service; a study found that Black, Hispanic, and Asian patients are less likely to have their messages answered by their primary care providers, largely due to differences in writing style rather than the messages’ content.
To address these disparities, healthcare organizations are encouraged to implement tailored interventions, such as in-clinic enrollment, outreach via community health workers, and communication strategies to boost awareness. Additionally, implicit bias training for staff and the use of technology—like message templates and AI chatbots—could help ensure a more equitable response experience for all patients using the portal.
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Link to original article source: https://www.techtarget.com/searchhealthit/news/366649166/Health-disparities-persist-in-patient-portal-signups-messaging
