Feasibility of Using Patient Portal to Enhance Patient Engagement and Patient-Generated Data in Tertiary Hospital.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to evaluate the experiences of patients using a patient portal at a tertiary hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, focusing on engagement, usability, and patient-generated data.

METHODS

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey distributed to 244 patients using the patient portal between September and December 2023. Data collected included sociodemographic characteristics, health literacy, internet and smartphone usage, and patient engagement with the portal.

RESULTS

Among the 244 respondents, 99.6% were smartphone users, and 85% reported using the patient portal. The most frequently used functionalities included scheduling appointments (60.1%) and viewing laboratory results. Significant associations were found between general satisfaction and perceptions of ease of login, information comprehension, and increased engagement ( < 0.05). High satisfaction was reported among those updating personal information (88.6%) and allergy status (78.1%) through the portal. Barriers to use included internet access limitations and privacy concerns. Age significantly influenced the need for training to enhance portal usage ( < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Patient engagement with the portal was high, indicating its potential as a tool for enhancing healthcare delivery. Improving usability, addressing identified barriers, and providing tailored training could further optimize patient engagement and utilization of health services.