WOMEN'S HEALTH
Access to Web-Based Personalized Antenatal Health Records for Pregnant Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

https://doi.org/10.1016/S1701-2163(16)32711-6Get rights and content

Abstract

Objective

During pregnancy, the information needs of patients are high and effective information sharing between patients and health care providers is of particular importance. We conducted a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effect of providing pregnant women with secure access to their antenatal health records on their uptake of, and satisfaction with, relevant information.

Methods

Women presenting to a primary care maternity centre before 28 weeks’ gestation were randomized to receive access either to a secure website with links to general pregnancy health information alone (GI group) or to the same website with access to their own antenatal health record (PI group). Primary outcomes included frequency of use, and satisfaction with and perceived usefulness of the web-based information.

Results

We approached 199 women regarding participation in the study; 193 agreed to participate, and 97 were randomized to the PI group and 96 to the GI group. The mean number of log-ins to the website in the PI group subsequently was almost six times the number of log-ins in the GI group (10.4 ± 17.8 vs. 1.8 ± 1.4; P < 0.001), and 84.2% of log-ins in the PI group accessed the antenatal health record. The responses of participants to questions about the website’s ease of use and value in providing information about pregnancy indicated a high level of satisfaction, with no significant difference in responses between groups.

Conclusion

Pregnant patients are prepared to use a health information website and web-based health records. When personal information is provided there is greater use than when general pregnancy information alone is provided. Given the almost universal availability of the Internet, this option has the potential for wider application to patient-related outcomes.

Résumé

Objectif

Au cours de la grossesse, les besoins en renseignements des patientes sont élevés et l’échange efficace de renseignements entre les patientes et les fournisseurs de soins de santé prend une importance toute particulière. Nous avons mené un essai comparatif randomisé pour évaluer l’effet de l’offre, aux femmes enceintes, d’un accès sécurisé à leurs dossiers médicaux prénatals sur leur utilisation de cet accès pour obtenir des renseignements pertinents et sur leur degré de satisfaction envers ceux-ci.

Méthodes

Les femmes se présentant à un centre de soins de maternité primaires avant la 28e semaine de gestation ont été réparties, au hasard, en deux groupes: le groupe RG (accès à un site Web sécurisé comptant des liens menant vers des renseignements généraux sur la grossesse) ou le groupe RP (accès au même site Web, mais lequel comptait également un lien menant à leur propre dossier médical prénatal). Parmi les critères d’évaluation primaires, on comptait la fréquence d’utilisation, l’utilité perçue des renseignements Web et la satisfaction envers ceux-ci.

Résultats

Nous avons pris contact avec 199 femmes au sujet de leur participation à l’étude; 193 ont consenti à y participer: 97 ont été affectées au groupe RP et 96, au groupe RG. Au sein du groupe RP, le nombre moyen d’ouvertures de session dans le site Web s’est subséquemment avéré presque six fois plus élevé que celui du groupe RG (10,4 ± 17,8, par comparaison avec 1,8 ± 1,4; P < 0,001); de plus, 84,2 % des sessions ouvertes par le groupe RP comprenaient la consultation des dossiers médicaux prénatals. Les réponses des participantes aux questions portant sur la facilité d’utilisation et la valeur du site Web en matière de renseignements sur la grossesse ont indiqué un degré élevé de satisfaction; aucune différence significative n’a été constatée entre les deux groupes en ce qui concerne ces réponses.

Conclusion

Les patientes enceintes sont disposées à utiliser un site Web comprenant des renseignements sur la santé et à consulter leurs dossiers médicaux par l’intermédiaire du Web. Lorsqu’un site Web offre des renseignements personnels, il fait l’objet d’un plus grand nombre de consultations que lorsqu’il n’offre que des renseignements généraux sur la grossesse. Compte tenu de la disponibilité pratiquement universelle d’Internet, cette option présente du potentiel en ce qui concerne l’élargissement de son utilisation en vue de répondre aux besoins des patientes.

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    Competing Interests: None declared.

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