Racial/ethnic variation in devices used to access patient portals.

Objectives: We examined racial/ethnic variation in the devices used by patients to access medical records through an online patient portal.

Study Design: Retrospective, cross-sectional analysis.

Methods: Using data from 318,700 adults enrolled in an integrated delivery system between December 2012 and November 2013, we examined: 1) online patient portal use that directly engages the electronic health record and 2) portal use over desktops/laptops only, mobile devices only, or both device types.

Adjunctive naturopathic care for type 2 diabetes: patient-reported and clinical outcomes after one year.

Background: Several small, uncontrolled studies have found improvements in self-care behaviors and reductions in clinical risk in persons with type 2 diabetes who received care from licensed naturopathic physicians. To extend these findings and determine the feasibility and promise of a randomized clinical trial, we conducted a prospective study to measure the effects of adjunctive naturopathic care (ANC) in primary care patients with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes.

Methods: Forty patients with type 2 diabetes were invited from a large integrated health care system to receive up to eight ANC visits for up to one year.

Patient race/ethnicity and shared medical record use among diabetes patients.

Background: Previous studies have documented racial/ethnic differences in patients' use of websites providing shared electronic medical records between patients and health care professionals. Less is known about whether these are driven by patient-level preferences and/or barriers versus broader provider or system factors.

Methods: Cross-sectional study of diabetes patients in an integrated delivery system in 2008-2009.

Survey of CAM interest, self-care, and satisfaction with health care for type 2 diabetes at group health cooperative.

Background: Very little research has explored the factors that influence interest in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments. We surveyed persons with sub-optimally controlled type 2 diabetes to evaluate potential relationships between interest in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments, current self-care practices, motivation to improve self-care practices and satisfaction with current health care for diabetes.

Methods: 321 patients from a large integrated healthcare system with type 2 diabetes, who were not using insulin and had hemoglobin A1c values between 7.

Use of a shared medical record with secure messaging by older patients with diabetes.

Objective: Evaluate use of a web-based shared medical record (SMR) between older patients with diabetes and providers.

Research Design And Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study. Health records and SMR use patterns of 6,185 enrollees aged ≥65 years with diabetes were analyzed from implementation of a SMR in August 2003 through December 2007.

Depressive symptoms and menopausal burden in the midlife.

Objective: The goal of this study was to assess whether menopausal symptoms were more common and/or more severe among women with depressive symptoms.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 1358 women, ages 45-70, at two large integrated health plans (Seattle; Boston) was performed. Information on demographics, medical and reproductive history, medication use, menopausal experience and depressive symptoms (PHQ-8) were collected.

Delivering effective primary care to older adults: a randomized, controlled trial of the senior resource team at group health cooperative.

Objectives: To assess the effect of a team of geriatrics specialists on the practice style of primary care providers (PCPs) and the functioning of their patients aged 75 and older.

Design: Randomized, controlled trial.

Setting: Two primary care clinics in the Seattle, Washington, area.