Journal of medical Internet research
Barriers and Enablers to Asynchronous Secure Messaging Use in Hospital-Based Ambulatory Specialty Clinics in Ontario, Canada: Convergent Mixed Methods Study
By Stamenova V, Pratt T, Estabrook H and 4 others.
Abstract
Background
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of virtual care, including patient-to-provider asynchronous secure messaging (ASM). However, while ASM offers access and convenience, the surge in message volume can increase physician workload and contribute to burnout. Furthermore, it has raised additional concerns about message appropriateness, medicolegal liability, and sustainability of this communication virtual care modality.
Objective
This study aims to explore the experience with ASM in Ontario in specialty ambulatory care to inform current practice support strategies. We sought to characterize messaging usage quantitatively while also exploring experience with messaging, contextual barriers, and facilitators qualitatively.