Susan H. Swartz|Timothy Cowan|Ida A. Batista
Using Claims Data to Examine Patients Using Practice-Based Internet Communication: Is There a Clinical Digital Divide?
Maine Medical Center
practicebased internet communication allows patients obtain health information ask questions submit requests personalized web site online tools also bring great promise educating patients goal fostering behavior change important examine individuals currently using services differ notthe study used administrative information characterize population patients communicating medical practice internet end 1999 2000patient claims data generated clinical encounters january 1999 may 2000 examined measure relationship patient demographics frequency visits specific acute diagnoses specific chronic diagnoses use online communication practiceten percent patients 132 patients 18 years older used practice web site differences use practice web site age insurance status gender use practice web site similar higher among patients diagnosis variety acute chronic conditions compared diagnosis patients clinic visits likely use webbased servicepatients using practicebased internet communication significant health risks identified use administrative data presenting opportunity test online educational efforts improve health