Patient-Centered Communication, Disparities, and Patient Portals in the US, 2017-2022

OBJECTIVES: To identify the relationship between patient -centered communication and portal offers and use among insured adult patients and to understand the role of patient -centered communication in equitable access to portals. STUDY DESIGN: Using data from 4 cycles of the Health Information National Trends Survey across 2017-2022, we determined how patient -centered communication and sociodemographic characteristics of adult insured patients in the US are associated with offers of and access to online patient portals. METHODS: We conducted multivariable logistic regression analysis to examine associations of patient -centered communication and sociodemographic characteristics of adult insured patients in the US with offers of and access to online patient portals. RESULTS: Across the period of 2017-2022, approximately two-thirds of insured adult patients on average reported being offered a patient portal, and approximately half reported accessing a portal. Patients with lower -than-average patient -centered communication and those who are men, are Hispanic, have less than a college degree, and have no internet are less likely than their counterparts to report being offered or accessing a portal. CONCLUSIONS: Although patient -centered communication is an important factor in facilitating patient portal offers and access, it does not appear to be a driver of demographic divides in portal use.