Oncology Clinicians' Perspectives on Online Patient Portal Use in Pediatric and Adolescent Cancer

Bryan A. Sisk, Christine Bereitschaft, Madi Enloe, Ginny Schulz, Jennifer Mack, James DuBois

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

PURPOSE Online patient portals represent widely available communication tools in pediatric oncology. Previous studies have not evaluated clinicians' perspectives on portal use, including issues related to access to adolescents' portals. METHODS We performed semistructured interviews with physicians and advanced practice providers (APPs) who care for children or adolescents with cancer. We performed thematic analysis of benefits, problems, and accommodations related to portal use in oncology. RESULTS We interviewed 29 physicians and 24 APPs representing 26 institutions. Participants described five themes of benefits provided by portals: (1) empowering adolescents, (2) improving efficiency and accuracy of communication, (3) promoting open and adaptive communication, (4) supporting parents in managing care, and (5) bolstering clinical relationships. Participants described eight themes of problems caused by portal access: (1) creating emotional distress and confusion, (2) increasing workload and changing workflows, (3) threatening adolescent confidentiality, (4) adolescents lacking interest to engage, (5) diminishing clinical relationship, (6) misusing portal messages, (7) diminishing quality of sensitive documentation, and (8) parents losing access to adolescents' records. Participants described three themes related to accommodations they made as a result of portal access: (1) modifying note writing, (2) providing anticipatory guidance about viewing results, and (3) adapting workflows. Some portal functions created either benefits or problems depending on the clinical context. CONCLUSION Oncologists identified benefits and problems created by portal use, which were sometimes in tension, depending on the clinical context. To make portals useful, we must take steps to mitigate risks while preserving functionality for parents and adolescent patients.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere2300124
JournalJCO Clinical Cancer Informatics
Volume7
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1 2023

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Oncology Clinicians' Perspectives on Online Patient Portal Use in Pediatric and Adolescent Cancer'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this