Patient-facing eHealth technologies, such as online patient portals, connect patients with the healthcare system, help them access their health information, and support self-management of health conditions. This study tested an intervention to improve adoption and use of the My HealtheVet patient portal for diabetes management.
The goal of this small scale study is to test the feasibility of engaging Veterans in a supported adoption intervention to promote effective patient portal use in a sample of Veterans with uncontrolled Type II diabetes. Participants were eligible for recruitment if they were Veterans age 18-85 who were actively receiving care at one of the study sites (as determined by having an upcoming scheduled appointment), had uncontrolled glucose (HbA1c \>= 8.5%), and had either never used the VA patient portal or were inactive registrants who have not used the patient portal in the past 12 months. Participants who met these conditions and did not opt out of the study were randomized to one of four arms: 1) Encouragement I (brochure + mailed training guide), 2) Encouragement II (brochure + mailed training guide + invitation to group training), 3) Encouragement III (brochure + mailed training guide + invitation to group and one-on-one training), and 4) Comparison (standard patient portal enrollment brochure only). All arms received the standard My HealtheVet patient portal enrollment brochure along with an invitation to participate in the study. Those randomized to any of the Encouragement Arms received a mailed training guide. The My HealtheVet Training Guide for Veterans Living with Diabetes was designed in conjunction with Veteran co-investigators based on feedback from patients living with diabetes who were My HealtheVet users. It provided step by step guidance on how to use the features Veterans living with diabetes find most helpful with specific examples of use for diabetes self-management. Those in Encouragement Arm II were also invited to attend one of several group training sessions. Those in Encouragement III were invited to schedule a one-on one session to learn how to use the patient portal. Those in the comparison condition were asked during their interview if they would like a Training Guide mailed to them at the end of the trial, and those interested were mailed a Training Guide.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
275
Participants will receive a mailed brochure with basic My HealtheVet content.
Participants will be mailed a bound My HealtheVet training guide with step by step instructions on how to register, upgrade to Premium account, refill prescriptions, use secure messaging, download their Blue Button reports, and other features
Participants will be invited to participate in a scheduled group training to learn how to use My HealtheVet to help manage their diabetes
VA Bedford HealthCare System, Bedford, MA
Bedford, Massachusetts, United States
VA Boston Healthcare System Jamaica Plain Campus, Jamaica Plain, MA
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Any My HealtheVet Patient Portal Use
This measure captures any use of MHV within 180 days of the brochure mailing, including use of prescription refills, secure messaging, Blue Button, or any other portal features.
Time frame: Portal use within 180 days of initial brochure mailing
Patient Upgraded to a Premium My HealtheVet Portal Account
After registering for the portal, patients must confirm their identity and accept the terms and conditions of the portal in order to upgrade to Premium status which allows access to secure messaging, their VA appointments, and electronic health record extracts such as lab results, medical imaging and reports, clinical notes, and their VA health summary. Patients can access a limited subset of portal features, including online prescription refills, without upgrading to Premium. This measure captures whether a participant upgraded to a Premium account during the trial.
Time frame: 180 days from brochure mailing
Use of Online Prescription Refills
This measure captures whether the participant used the portal's online prescription refill feature at least once within 180 days of mailing the brochure.
Time frame: 180 days from brochure mailing
Use of Secure Messaging
Patient used the secure messaging feature during the trial
Time frame: 180 days from brochure mailing
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Participants will be invited to participate in a one-on-one training to learn how to use My HealtheVet to help manage their diabetes at a time of their convenience.