Use of the Veterans Health Administration online patient portal among Veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2023 · DOI: 10.1080/10790268.2022.2084967 · Published: January 1, 2023

Simple Explanation

This study examines the use of the My HealtheVet (MHV) patient portal among Veterans with spinal cord injuries/disorders (SCI/D). MHV offers features like medication refills and secure messaging. The study found that MHV registration and use of key features were limited among Veterans with SCI/D. Efforts to increase portal use in this population are needed. Factors like level of injury, having neurogenic bladder, being married, and increased healthcare utilization were associated with increased odds of MHV registration and use.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

4,652 Veterans with SCI/D

Evidence Level

Retrospective database analysis

Key Findings

1
Only 14.6% of Veterans with SCI/D in the sample registered for MHV, and among those, 48.7% used the medication refill feature.
2
Having a C5-8 or T1-S5 injury (vs. C1–C4), having neurogenic bladder, being married, and increased healthcare utilization were associated with increased odds of MHV registration.
3
Male sex, older age, Black race, longer time since injury, and poorer health were associated with decreased odds of MHV registration.

Research Summary

This study examined the use of MHV among Veterans with SCI/D, finding limited registration and use of key portal features. Several factors were identified as being associated with both increased and decreased odds of MHV registration and feature use, including injury level, comorbidities, demographics, and healthcare utilization. The findings suggest a need for targeted efforts to support patient portal adoption and use in this vulnerable segment of the Veteran population.

Practical Implications

Targeted interventions

Develop targeted training and outreach programs to increase portal adoption among older Veterans, racial minorities, and those with longer time since injury.

Tailored support

Provide tailored support and education to Veterans with SCI/D, focusing on the benefits of specific MHV features like secure messaging and medication refills.

Connected care framework

Integrate patient portals within a broader framework of connected care technologies, offering support at home and in the community.

Study Limitations

1
The focus of this study is on Veterans with SCI/D who use VA health care, which may limit the generalizability of our findings.
2
Patients with SCI/D have unique challenges with mobility and access to technology, which may also limit the applicability of our findings across patient populations.
3
Some Veterans were eliminated due to missing data, which may attenuate the ability of our findings to be representative of all Veterans with SCI/D.

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