Shared Access to Patient Portals for Older Adults: Implications for Privacy and Digital Health Equity

Growing reliance on the patient portal as a mainstream modality in health system interactions necessitates prioritizing digital health equity through systems-level strategies that acknowledge and support all persons. Older adults with physical, cognitive, sensory, and socioeconomic vulnerabilities often rely on the involvement of family and friends in managing their health, but the role of these care partners in health information technology is largely undefined and poorly understood. This viewpoint article discusses challenges and opportunities of systematic engagement of care partners through shared access to the patient portal that have been amplified in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak and recent implementation of federal information blocking rules to promote information transparency alongside broader shifts toward care delivery innovation and population aging. We describe implementation considerations and the promise of granular, role-based privacy controls in addressing the nuanced and dynamic nature of individual information sharing preferences and fostering person- and family-centered care delivery.

Automated summary

As the reliance on patient portals as a mainstream mode of health system interactions grows, it is important to prioritize digital health equity and support for all individuals. This article discusses the challenges and opportunities of systematically engaging care partners through shared access to patient portals, particularly for older adults with vulnerabilities.