Portal Engagement Research

Background

Patients Know Best collaborated with Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust in 2023 to look at inequalities in the use of the PKB portal in Northwest London. The purpose of this research was to better understand where disparities in the uptake and use of patient portals lie to enable digital teams to work to reduce any inequalities.

Findings

Age / Sex

Younger women were more likely to register than younger men
Older men were more likely to register than older women
Much older men and women were less like to register

Ethnicity

The black population were least likely to register
Mixed or multiple ethnic groups were next least likely to register
White population was most likely to register

Language

English speakers were mostly likely to register, followed by those speaking a European language
Those speaking an African or Asian language were least likely to register

Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD)

Patients with the lowest wealth were least likely to register

Engagement

The black population were less likely to engage with questionnaires

Outcomes

Acknowledge the problem
Shift to a population-based strategy plus deliver personalised care
Use Design/data/Ways of working framework
Create a digital health equality group for Portal to develop these themes