Studied factors and metrics of patient portal use among people with HIV: a rapid scoping review

For people living with HIV (PLHIV), patient portals could facilitate access to personal health records while promoting self-management and retention in care. Given the apparent heterogeneity in the studied factors influencing portal use among PLHIV and the metrics used in research, we conducted a rapid scoping review to inventory them. Two databases were searched (Medline and Embase on the Ovid platform) from conception until 15 September 2023. Two reviewers screened all records and full texts. Studies published in English, employing quantitative methods, including a portal usage metric, and involving PLHIV were included. Influencing factors and metrics were classified based on categorizations generated from previous relevant reviews. From 1421 records, 188 full-text studies were assessed, and 18 were included. Published between 2010 and 2022 and mostly from the USA (94%), these studies identified 35 portal usage metrics in five categories (e.g., patient use/adoption, frequency, duration). Similarly, 35 influencing factors were identified, mainly health-related (e.g., HIV viral load) or demographic (e.g., race/ethnicity). This review confirmed the heterogeneity of metrics and influencing factors concerning patient portal use among PLHIV. Developing a conceptual framework of influencing factors and a taxonomy of use metrics could help orient and harmonize future research in this area.