Rethinking Patient Empowerment through Online Patient Portals for Managing Diabetes and Hypertension in Ghana

Abstract

Patient portals foster better therapeutic relations between the patient and provider, increases medication adherence, and leads to optimal patient flow. However, the extent to which patient portals are linked to patient empowerment is less explicit. This study explored whether and how the characteristics of online patient portals are associated with the empowerment of diabetes and hypertension patients. We employed a quantitative design, drawing data from 280 patients across six health facilities. Data were analyzed using principal component analysis and multivariate regression. The findings showed that patients preferred the use of an online portal to communicate medication information, schedule appointment and visit, discuss treatment plans, and access information about medical results. All the patient portal characteristics examined showed a statistically significant association with patient empowerment. The findings suggest the need for rolling outpatient portal systems to enable patients with chronic conditions to control their condition and management. Target Audience The primary target audience of this work is policymakers and health system stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service, and the Christian Health Association of Ghana. These institutions can use the study’s finding to roll out online patient portal systems in public and quasi health facilities. In addition, clinicians such as doctors, nurses, and other clinical cadres can use findings of the study to improve upon clinical practice. Finally, students pursuing programs relating to health systems will benefit enormously from this work.