Screening by Health Care Systems for Barriers to Patient Engagement With Digital Health Care: Cross-Sectional Survey Study

Screening by Health Care Systems for Barriers to Patient Engagement With Digital Health Care: Cross-Sectional Survey Study

Authors: Jonathan J. Shih, Andersen Yang, Vivian E. Kwok, Amy R. Sheon, Robert L. Ellis, Emilia H De Marchis, Lisa C. Diamond, Marika Dy, Courtney R. Lyles, Carmen Ma, Nilpa D. Shah, Kelsey H. Natsuhara, Sarah Rahman, Jorge A. Rodriguez, Urmimala Sarkar, Anjana E Sharma, Elaine C. Khoong

Digital health tools such as patient portals, telemedicine, and mobile apps are now central to health care delivery, yet patients’ ability to benefit from these tools depends on their digital readiness. In a national survey of 144 clinicians and informatics leaders conducted in early 2024, fewer than half (44%) reported that their health systems screen patients for digital readiness. Screening was significantly less common in organizations serving uninsured populations, but more likely in systems where respondents were aware of digital equity policies or programs. Common barriers included limited resources to implement screening or address identified needs, as well as lack of time. Overall, findings suggest that digital readiness screening remains underused, particularly in settings serving patients at highest risk of digital exclusion, underscoring the need for greater policy awareness, infrastructure, and workforce support to ensure equitable access to digital health tools.