Purpose: This study describes the clinical epidemiology of MyHealtheVet (MHV) use among cancer patients.
Background: Little is known about MHV or VA personal health record use among cancer patients. Continuity of care documents, such as treatment summaries and cancer survivorship care plans, have been considered to have the potential to improve coordination, the engagement of cancer patients, and the quality of care.
Methods: A cohort of cancer patients who had used VHA healthcare services between October 2011 and September 2012 were assembled who had a record of MHV use.
Results: The greatest proportion of cancer patients who used MHV were diagnosed with prostate cancer (52%), followed by colon cancer (9%), and melanoma (6%) and lung (6%). Minorities of cancer patients resided in rural locations (26%) and were female (3%). White patients comprised 69% of the cohort, while 31% came from minority populations.
Conclusions: Comparisons of cancer patients who enroll in MHV to population averages will inform what groups may not be taking advantage of this patient-centered technology and can be targeted for future recruitment efforts. Future study should assess the association of MHV use with subsequent health care utilization and quality.
