Lynne T. Harris|Sebastien Haneuse|Diane P. Martin|James D. Ralston
Diabetes Quality of Care and Outpatient Utilization Associated With Electronic Patient-Provider Messaging: A Cross-Sectional Analysis
University of Washington|Group Health Cooperative|University of Washington|University of Washington|University of Washington|Group Health Cooperative
objective test hypothesis electronic patientprovider messaging associated high care quality diabetes lower outpatient utilization research design methods conducted crosssectional analysis electronic patientprovider messaging 15month period 1 january 2004 31 march 2005 study set group health cooperativea consumergoverned nonprofit health care system operates washington idaho participants included patients aged 18 years diagnosis diabetes addition usual care patients option use electronic messaging communicate care providers primary outcome measures diabetesrelated qualityofcare indicators a1c blood pressure ldl cholesterol outpatient visits primary care specialty care emergency results nineteen percent patients diabetes used electronic messaging communicate care providers study period n 2924 overall study cohort 15427 subjects multivariate models frequent use electronic messaging associated a1c amplt7 relative risk rr 136 95 ci 116158 contrary hypothesis frequent use electronic messaging also associated higher rate outpatient visits 139 126153 conclusions frequent use electronic secure messaging associated better glycemic control increased outpatient utilization electronic patientprovider communication may represent one strategy meet health care needs unique population research necessary assess effect electronic messaging care quality utilization