If you build it, they will come...to the wrong door: Evaluating patient and caregiver-initiated ethics consultations via a patient portal' Journal Article


Authors: Blackler, L.; Scharf, A. E.; Matsoukas, K.; Colletti, M.; Voigt, L. P.
Article Title: If you build it, they will come...to the wrong door: Evaluating patient and caregiver-initiated ethics consultations via a patient portal'
Abstract: Objectives Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) sought to empower patients and caregivers to be more proactive in requesting ethics consultations. Methods Functionality was developed on MSK's electronic patient portal that allowed patients and/or caregivers to request ethics consultations. The Ethics Consultation Service (ECS) responded to all requests, which were documented and analysed. Results Of the 74 requests made through the portal, only one fell under the purview of the ECS. The others were primarily requests for assistance with coordinating clinical care, hospital resources or frustrations with the hospital or clinical team. Discussion To better empower patients and caregivers to engage Ethics, healthcare organisations and ECSs must first provide them with accessible, understandable and iterative educational resources. Conclusion After 19.5 months, the € Request Ethics Consultation' functionality on the patient portal was suspended. Developing resources on the role of Ethics for our patients and caregivers remains a priority. © 2024 BMJ Publishing Group. All rights reserved.
Keywords: major clinical study; patient participation; cancer center; medical record; patient-centered care; caregiver; medical information system; health care organization; ethics; caregivers; health literacy; medical informatics; frustration; ethics consultation; humans; human; article; patient portals; person centered care; patient involvement
Journal Title: BMJ Health & Care Informatics
Volume: 31
Issue: 1
ISSN: 2632-1009
Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.  
Date Published: 2024-01-01
Start Page: e100988
Language: English
DOI: 10.1136/bmjhci-2023-100988
PUBMED: 38677775
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC11107804
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- MSK Cancer Center Support Grant (P30 CA008748) acknowledged in PubMed and PDF -- MSK corresponding author is Liz Blacker -- Source: Scopus
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MSK Authors
  1. Louis Pierre-Paul Voigt
    85 Voigt
  2. Amy Engel Scharf
    9 Scharf