Patient portal engagement and diabetes management among new portal users in the Veterans Health Administration

Abstract Objective The study sought to investigate whether consistent use of the Veterans Health Administration’s My HealtheVet (MHV) online patient portal is associated with improvement in diabetes-related physiological measures among new users. Materials and Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort users type 2 diabetes that registered for MHV between 2012 2016. used random-effect linear regression models examine associations months year (consistency) annual means (hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c], low-density lipoproteins [LDLs], blood pressure [BP]) first 3 years use. Results For patients uncontrolled HbA1c, LDL, or BP at baseline, more was greater improvement. Compared 1 month use, using 12 declines HbA1c -0.41% (95% confidence interval [CI], -0.46% -0.36%) LDL -6.25 CI, -7.15 -5.36) mg/dL. Twelve minimal improvements BP: systolic -1.01 -1.33 -0.68) mm Hg diastolic -0.67 -0.85 -0.49) Hg. All were smaller not present control these baseline. Conclusions found be modest mean increased risk diabetes, self-management supported by portals may help BP.