Presenter(s)
Kailey Cooper, Nate Dolan, Carly Kreisa, Ayva Peterson, Lindsey Pinter, Helen Prow, Abagail Ripley, and Amelia Torgerson
Abstract
Winona State University Nursing students partnered with Winona County Public Health to create education for clients related to accessibility, navigating online health portals, and addressing barriers to accessing portals. The project included a community assessment and literature review that outlines health portals and how they are accessed amongst different patient populations. As the healthcare world shifts from paper to online services, online health or patient portals have become increasingly common (Andreadis et al., 2025). Online health portals are used as a communication pathway between healthcare interdisciplinary teams and the patient. Information on these portals includes lab results, communication with providers, visit summaries, current medications, and medical history (Turner et al., 2015). When used properly, portals help patients stay updated on accurate health information. Access to and use of these portals were not equal among all patients. Individuals living in rural areas and those with lower levels of education experienced greater difficulty using patient portals compared to those in urban areas or with higher education levels. Providing education and support on how to use patient portals can improve patients’ confidence and engagement in managing their health information. While some patients prefer instant access to reduce anxiety associated with waiting, others may experience increased stress, especially when results are abnormal (Steitz et al., 2023). Therefore, healthcare providers must be aware of the potential emotional impact of immediate access and guide patients on how to interpret and respond to their results. Overall, educating patients on both the benefits and limitations of patient portals can promote more effective use and increase trust in the healthcare system. However, many patient populations, including older adults, face significant barriers related to digital literacy and accessibility. The group assessed our individual clients’ subjective knowledge of online health records and the barriers to use of online health portals. Literature was reviewed and incorporated into an educational brochure for clients. Clients were able to successfully navigate their electronic health portals, explain the benefits, and have an increased knowledge of the information they can access. In conclusion, the project focused on the importance of online health portals and increased accessibility for clients. This project improves community health outcomes by empowering clients to manage their care through online portals.
College
College of Nursing & Health Sciences
Department
Nursing
Campus
Winona
First Advisor/Mentor
Samantha Brown
Location
Kryzsko Great River Ballroom, Winona, Minnesota; United States
Start Date
4-23-2026 9:00 AM
End Date
4-23-2026 10:00 AM
Presentation Type
Poster Session
Format of Presentation or Performance
In-Person
Session
1a=9am-10am
Poster Number
65
Accessibility of Online Health Portals
Kryzsko Great River Ballroom, Winona, Minnesota; United States
Winona State University Nursing students partnered with Winona County Public Health to create education for clients related to accessibility, navigating online health portals, and addressing barriers to accessing portals. The project included a community assessment and literature review that outlines health portals and how they are accessed amongst different patient populations. As the healthcare world shifts from paper to online services, online health or patient portals have become increasingly common (Andreadis et al., 2025). Online health portals are used as a communication pathway between healthcare interdisciplinary teams and the patient. Information on these portals includes lab results, communication with providers, visit summaries, current medications, and medical history (Turner et al., 2015). When used properly, portals help patients stay updated on accurate health information. Access to and use of these portals were not equal among all patients. Individuals living in rural areas and those with lower levels of education experienced greater difficulty using patient portals compared to those in urban areas or with higher education levels. Providing education and support on how to use patient portals can improve patients’ confidence and engagement in managing their health information. While some patients prefer instant access to reduce anxiety associated with waiting, others may experience increased stress, especially when results are abnormal (Steitz et al., 2023). Therefore, healthcare providers must be aware of the potential emotional impact of immediate access and guide patients on how to interpret and respond to their results. Overall, educating patients on both the benefits and limitations of patient portals can promote more effective use and increase trust in the healthcare system. However, many patient populations, including older adults, face significant barriers related to digital literacy and accessibility. The group assessed our individual clients’ subjective knowledge of online health records and the barriers to use of online health portals. Literature was reviewed and incorporated into an educational brochure for clients. Clients were able to successfully navigate their electronic health portals, explain the benefits, and have an increased knowledge of the information they can access. In conclusion, the project focused on the importance of online health portals and increased accessibility for clients. This project improves community health outcomes by empowering clients to manage their care through online portals.
Comments
Cooper, Kailey A; Peterson, Ayva M; Torgerson, Amelia J; Dolan, Nate; Pinter, Lindsey E; Prow, Helen; Kreisa, Carly E; Ripley, Abagail J