Demographics and Savviness with Technology Influence Use of Portals
ResearchPosted on rand.org Apr 1, 2026Published in: Telemedicine and e-Health (2026). DOI: 10.1177/15305627261425907
Patient portals have become widespread since the passage of the American 21st Century Cures Act. However, little is known about how people are using these portals, especially for accessing telemedicine.
We investigated patterns patient portal usage among a nationally representative sample of United States adults, focusing on the demographic factors influencing access and engagement. Using the RAND American Life Panel, we surveyed 1,672 people to assess their experiences with various portal functions, including viewing test results, messaging providers, and scheduling appointments.
Our findings reveal that about three-quarters of respondents had used portals to view test results and to access health records, about half have used to message a provider, schedule an appointment, or pay a bill. However, we found significant differences in portal usage with women, non-Hispanic white people, people with college degrees, and those with higher self-reported technological proficiency all more likely to use portals.
These results highlight the need for targeted interventions to enhance accessibility and usability of patient portals, ensuring access to health care resources for all individuals, particularly those from underrepresented populations.
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