Is health IT increasing disparities among at-risk populations?

Dive Brief:

• A study of 2,803 patients at four university-affiliated nephrology offices in western Pennsylvania examined access of an EHR portal to manage chronic kidney disease. Patients learned about the portal through pamphlets at the clinics but were not trained on how to sign up or use it.
• Overall, 1,098 participants (39%) accessed the portal. More than 87% reviewed lab results, 85% reviewed their medical information and reviewed or changed appointments, 77% reviewed medication, 65% requested medication refills, and 31% requested medical advice from a renal provider.
• Those using the portal were more likely to have private insurance, be married, white and younger. Those who didn’t access the portal were more likely to be black, enrolled in Medicare or Medicaid, lower-income, older and unmarried, the report stated. For the full article click here 

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