The Future of Community Outreach: Using Patient Portals to Provide Voter Resources during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic

Abstract

Background During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there was a concern for the 2020 general election becoming a superspreader event due to in-person voting. Objectives Our project addressed this concern by disseminating nonpartisan websites detailing safe voter options in the state of North Carolina to prevent community spread of the virus as much as possible. Methods In this study, patient portals were used to disseminate a Research Electronic Data Capture survey containing embedded links to voter resources including nonpartisan websites discussing voting options. The survey also asked for demographic data and sentiments regarding the resources provided. Quick response (QR) codes with the survey link were also placed in the clinics during the study period. Results The survey was sent to 14,842 patients who had at least one patient encounter in the past 12 months at one of three General Internal Medicine clinics at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist. Survey participation through both the patient portals and QR codes was assessed. Patient sentiments toward the voter resources in regard to (1) interest and (2) perceived helpfulness were collected in the survey. In total, 738 (4.99%) patients filled out the survey. Eighty-seven percent of survey respondents reported that the voter resources were helpful. Significantly more black patients than white (29.3 vs. 18.2, p < 0.05) voiced interest in voter resources. There was no statistical significance across gender or reported comorbidities. Conclusion Multicultural, underserved, and underinsured patients perceived the most benefit. During public health crises, patient portal messages can be used to bridge information gaps and promote better health outcomes in a timely and effective manner.