EHR Patient Portal Acceptance

Overview

What shapes people’s willingness to use a patient portal? This study examines behavioral intention to use electronic health record patient portals among 883 online survey respondents in China, focusing on expectations about the technology, social influences, and personal orientations toward health and innovation.

My role

As first author, I designed the questionnaire, collected and prepared the survey data, conducted the statistical analyses, and wrote and revised the manuscript. My analysis included measurement diagnostics, primary and sensitivity models, supplementary outcomes, and exploratory moderation tests.

Approach

The study uses an extended UTAUT2 framework to examine technology acceptance. I analyzed standardized composite scores using regression with robust standard errors, alongside measurement checks and sensitivity analyses. The main outcome is intention to use; supplementary analyses examine expected use frequency and demand for portal functions.

Findings

Anticipated positive experiences, the expectation of forming a routine, personal innovativeness, and social influence were the most consistent correlates of intention to use. Perceived usefulness was associated with expected use frequency and demand for specific functions, although it was not independently associated with general intention in the primary model.

These differences suggest that broad willingness to adopt a portal and expectations about its specific functions deserve separate attention. The findings point to questions about how portals could fit into everyday care routines.

Manuscript

Title: Understanding Behavioral Intention to Use Electronic Health Record Patient Portals: A Cross-sectional Survey

Status: Under review at Health Science Reports.

Access: For a copy of the manuscript, please email ytpeng@unc.edu.