Abstract

Little is known about data sharing between healthcare providers and their patients. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the dramatic shift to virtual care delivery, there is a growing imperative to understand the types of patient-generated data used in patient care; the digital tools, functionalities, and processes used in sharing these data; and the barriers and facilitators to data sharing. This descriptive qualitative study explored the electronic data-sharing practices of primary healthcare providers with their patients. Providers’ (n=14) electronic data-sharing practices during the pandemic and their use of asynchronous and synchronous digital data-sharing modalities were highly variable. Most providers used telephone as their main synchronous modality for data sharing, with asynchronous modalities used to a limited extent or to complement synchronous data sharing. Providers who rarely used asynchronous modalities only collected patient-generated data in select circumstances. Barriers and facilitators of datasharing practices included digital infrastructure, integration, cost, patient factors, and provider factors such as care team composition, capacity, and percentage of virtual to in-person visits. Identifying solutions to support and enable providers and their patients with integrated digital tools and technologies and best practices for data sharing is necessary to optimize quality care and address care gaps.

Abbreviations: BP: Blood Pressure; FG: Focus Groups; COREQ: Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Health Research; EMR: Electronic Medical Record; MOA: Medical Office Assistant; NP: Nurse Practitioner; GAD: Generalized Anxiety Disorder