Implementation of Patient Engagement Tools in Electronic Health Records to Enhance Patient-Centered Communication: Protocol for Feasibility Evaluation and Preliminary Results

Background Patient–physician communication during clinical encounters is essential to ensure quality of care. Many studies have attempted improve patient–physician communication. Incorporating patient priorities into agenda setting and medical decision-making are fundamental patient-centered Efficient scalable approaches needed empower patients speak up prepare physicians respond. Leveraging electronic health records (EHRs) in engaging care teams has the potential enhance integration encounters. A systematic approach eliciting documenting before could facilitate effective such Objective In this paper, we report design implementation a set EHR tools built workflows for facilitating joint documentation concerns EHRs ambulatory Methods We engaged information technology leaders users three systems developing implementing tools. The goal these standardize elicitation by using previsit “patient important issue” questionnaire distributed through portal EHR. additional patient–staff when staff vital signs reason visit while examination room, with simple transmission method incorporate notes. Results study ongoing. anticipated completion date survey data collection November 2021. total 34,037 primary from (n=26,441; n=5136; n=2460 separately recruited each system) used issue 2020. adoption digital COVID-19 pandemic was much higher one system because it expanded use participating trials all providers midway year. It also required eCheck-ins, which telehealth Physicians suggested anecdotally that helped patient–clinician communication, particularly pandemic. Conclusions real-world practices. Early results suggest feasibility acceptability systems. can support engagement clinicians’ work in-person visits. They potentially exert sustained influence on clinician behaviors contrast prior ad hoc educational efforts targeting or clinicians. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03385512; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03385512 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/30431