Patients' Use of Electronic Health Records Facilitates Patient-Centered Communication: Findings From the 2017 Health Information National Trends Survey

Patient-centered communication refers to interaction between patients and health professionals that considers patients' preferences and empowers patients to contribute to their own care. Research suggests that patient-centered communication promotes patients' satisfaction with care, trust in physicians, and competence in their abilities to manage their health. The study aims to explore the role of patients' use of electronic health records (EHRs) in promoting patient-centered communication. Specifically, we investigated how health information efficacy mediates the association of EHR use with patient-centered communication and whether and how the relationship between EHR use and health information efficacy varies according to patients' perceived social support levels. We conducted mediation and multigroup analyses using nationally representative data from the Health Information National Trends Survey 5 cycle 1 conducted in the United States (N=3285). Among respondents, we analyzed those who received care from health professionals over the previous year (2823/3285, 85.94%). EHR use by patients was associated with high levels of health information efficacy (unstandardized coefficient=0.050, SE 0.024; P=.04). In turn, health information efficacy was positively related to patient-centered communication (unstandardized coefficient=0.154, SE 0.024; P