High Utilizers of MyChart Electronic Patient Portal Messaging in a Head and Neck Surgery Clinic

Saturday, October 11, 2025

9:30 AM - 9:36 AM EDT

Location: 127

Disclosure(s):

Syed Ameen Ahmad, BS:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Sarah Gao, BA:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Stefany M. Lazieh, BA:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Introduction: One legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic has been an increasing use of Epic MyChart patient portal messages to providers. We sought to evaluate clinical and demographic variables associated with high MyChart utilization in a head and neck oncologic surgery (HNS) clinic.

Methods: A randomized 20% sample of unique patients seen by the HNS service at Johns Hopkins outpatient clinics from 7/2023-12/2023 was evaluated. Patient-generated messages to providers were analyzed for a six-month period following the initial visit date. MyChart utilization was categorized by quintiles, with high-utilizers defined as the top quintile. Charts were reviewed for demographic information, diagnoses, comorbidity, treatment, provider, and provider volume.

Results: A total of 459 patients were analyzed; nearly half (46.8%) of patients did not utilize MyChart. MyChart high-utilizers sent a greater number of MyChart messages (mean, 27.6 [range: 8-110] vs. 1.4 [0-7], p< 0.001). High-utilizers were more likely to be white (78.7% vs. 68.7%), have malignancy (59.6% vs. 37.6%) and undergo surgery (43.8% vs. 19.7%, p< 0.001). On multivariable analysis, high-utilizers were less likely to be elderly (OR=0.13 [95% CI 0.03-0.51]), single (OR=0.44 [0.19-0.98]) and more likely to have malignancy (OR=2.3 [1.3-4.0]), advanced comorbidity (OR=5.3 [1.7-16.5]), undergo surgery (OR=3.2 [1.8-5.6]) and a specific provider (OR=4.2 [2.3-14.5]). Sex, insurance status, location/distance, new to practice vs. established patient status, and provider volume were not associated with high-utilization.

Conclusions: Within a head and neck surgical oncology practice, patients with malignant disease, comorbidity, surgical patients, and those who saw one specific provider were more likely to be MyChart high-utilizers, while single patients and older patients were less likely to use MyChart. These data suggest that some patient populations require more personalized and frequent support to address their ongoing health-needs, and raises concern about the ability of elderly patients to use electronic communications, who may have unmet needs.

Presenting Author(s)

Syed Ameen Ahmad, BS

Medical Student
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Baltimore, MD, United States

Disclosure(s):
faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Co-Author(s)

SG

Sarah Gao, BA

Medical Student
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Baltimore, MD, United States

Disclosure(s):
faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.
JK

Joon Soo Kim, Other

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.
Stefany M. Lazieh, BA

Medical Student
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Baltimore, MD, United States

Disclosure(s):
faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.
AS

Aly Stolba, Other

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.
WK

Wayne Koch, MD

John Hopkins Outpatient Center, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.
Leila J. Mady, MD PhD MPH

Assistant Professor
Johns Hopkins - Dept of OTO - HNS
Baltimore, MD, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.
CF

Carole Fakhry, MD MPH

Professor
Johns Hopkins Univ
Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.
DE

David W. Eisele, MD

Professor of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Baltimore, MD, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.

Senior Author(s)

CG

Christine Gourin, MD MPH FACS

Professor
Johns Hopkins University
baltimore, Maryland, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.