A recent review of our Ophthalmology patients who use direct messaging in our Patient Portal is proving that age is no barrier when it comes to access our digital platforms, as patients of all ages, from 16 to 99, are using the functionality.
Direct messaging allows departments to quickly contact patients. This is helpful if there is a change to an appointment or if a new appointment slot has opened up. Patients are then able to directly respond to the department.
Below are the figures for the age ranges for our Ophthalmology patients who used direct messaging, showing that almost 50% of those aged 60 and above have used it:
|
Age |
Number of patients |
|
Under 16 years (accessed by parents/guardians) |
27 |
|
16 to 19 years |
5 |
|
20 to 29 years |
11 |
|
30 to 39 years |
11 |
|
40 to 49 years |
36 |
|
50 to 59 years |
32 |
|
60 to 69 years |
41 |
|
70 to 79 years |
46 |
|
80 to 89 years |
15 |
|
90 to 99 years |
1 |
|
Total |
225 |
The team have also analysed what is known as 'vulnerability quintiles'. The scoring is based on a number of factors including whether the patient lives in deprivation, has a learning disability, ethnicity and whether they have no fixed abode. The breakdown below shows a range of patients across all quintiles were able to access the portal, with 1 as the most vulnerable, and 5 the least.
