Table 2.
Tool characteristics, intended use, and users (n=47). The table classifies variables according to unique tools rather than individual studies as the unit of analysis.
| Characteristic | n (%) | ||
| Structures | |||
| Medium of communication or format | |||
| Web-based tool | 35 (4.5) | ||
| Hybrid Web and software application | 6 (13) | ||
| Mobile phone–based native app (ie, short message service) | 3 (6) | ||
| Email-based application | 3 (6) | ||
| Component of another platform | |||
| Patient portal | 19 (40) | ||
| Informational or educational website | 14 (30) | ||
| Stand-alone | 14 (30) | ||
| Functions | |||
| Type of communication | |||
| Unstructured communication (patient-provider free form dialogue) | 37 (79) | ||
| Structured communication (tailored feedback) | 10 (21) | ||
| Number of tools with functions beyond patient-provider communication component | 36 (77) | ||
| With 3 or more additional functions | 19 (40) | ||
| Linked to a health record | 9 (19) | ||
| Linked to laboratory or test results | 12 (25.5) | ||
| Linked to appointment or scheduling | 7 (15) | ||
| Linked to viewable care or treatment plan | 12 (25.5) | ||
| Linked to new prescription requests | 3 (6) | ||
| Linked to prescription renewal | 8 (17) | ||
| Linked to symptom diary or tracker | 21 (45) | ||
| Linked to disease information or education | 25 (53) | ||
| Communication paradigm | |||
| Asynchronous tools | |||
| Asynchronous | 44 (94) | ||
| Of asynchronous tools, time-limited (response from provider within a specified time window) | 2 (4) | ||
| Synchronous | 2 (4) | ||
| Both | 1 (2) | ||
| Patient-provider communication flow | |||
| One-many | 8 (17) | ||
| Communication with own provider | 4 (50) | ||
| One-one health care provider | 39 (83) | ||
| Communication with own provider | 18 (46) | ||
| Of patient-multiple provider tools (n=8), direct communication with each member of health care team (providers receive information at the same time) | |||
| Yes | 1 (12.5) | ||
| No | 3 (37.5) | ||
| Unclear | 4 (50) | ||
| Intended use and users | |||
| Intended use of communication interventiona | |||
| Lifestyle or behavior modification | 17 (36) | ||
| Symptom reporting | 23 (49) | ||
| Care planning | 2 (4) | ||
| Medication adherence | 1 (2) | ||
| Not specified | 4 (8.5) | ||
| Type of health care provider intended to use tool with patients or caregivers | |||
| Nurse | 11 (23) | ||
| Physician | 9 (19) | ||
| One of several professions (ie, physician or nurse or social worker) | 7 (15) | ||
| Case manager or social worker | 5 (11) | ||
| Psychologist | 4 (8.5) | ||
| Therapist or counselor | 4 (8.5) | ||
| Pharmacist | 1 (2) | ||
| Research assistant | 1 (2) | ||
| Not specified | 5 (11) | ||
| Other | |||
| Compensation to health care providers | |||
| Did not provide compensation | 45 (96) | ||
| Did provide compensation | 2 (4) | ||
| Tool access | |||
| Free through research participation | 29 (62) | ||
| Organizational license | 10 (21) | ||
| Prior registration required via website or service | 8 (17) | ||
| URL available in article | |||
| Yes | 17 (36) | ||
| No | 30 (64) | ||
aPurposes are grouped based on descriptions from each paper.