Table 2.

Respondents’ view on the patient portal.

Participant responsesa		Frequency, n (%)
Requested improvements (n=558)
	Less cumbersome login authentication	144 (25.8)
	More data types and wider spread availability	143 (25.6)
	Like it/love it in current state	94 (16.8)
	Better instructions/explanation of results	47 (8.4)
	Reports delayed or incomplete	43 (7.7)
	Otherb	108 (19.4)
Most preferred features (n=173)
	Lab and diagnostic imaging results	119 (68.8)
	Feeling of health empowerment	23 (13.3)
	Scheduling features	21 (12.1)
	Communication features	14 (8.1)
	Otherc	4 (2.3)
Factors resulting in self-reported avoidance of an emergency department/urgent care center visit (n=129)
	Access to results meant a visit could be avoided	76 (58.9)
	Chronic disease–specific management	22 (17.1)
	Question answered via secure messaged	21 (16.3)
	Othere	50 (38.8)
Reported cost savings by avoiding a health care visit (n=112)
	General convenience and less waiting in clinic	43 (38.4)
	Not paying for parking and gas	25 (22.3)
	Overall improved efficiency for the health system	19 (17.0)
	Not paying for meals/hotels	10 (8.9)
	Otherf	2 (1.8)

^aThere was more than one answer permitted per category.

^bOther included general usability and results management (n=41), adding and updating health information (n=20), view diagnostic imaging images (n=14), secure messaging and notifications (n=14), patients able to upload pictures and documents (n=11), and better phone/tablet experience (n=8).

^cOther included access to health information decreases anxiety (n=7), can view medications (n=7), proxy access to family member's chart (n=4), and previsit questionnaires (n=1).

^dSecure messaging was done through MyChart and answered a question from the user.

^eOther included visit more efficient because informed (n=9), health empowerment (n=8), and preferred to get results in person (n=3).

^fOther included not paying for meals/hotels (n=10), not missing work (n=7), and not paying for childcare (n=2).