Research/Report
Author(s): Kate Van Roekel, Elizabeth Studstill, and Edie Lantz Leppert, Literacy Connects
In response to high demand from program participants for both health literacy and digital skills support, the Literacy Connects English Language Acquisition for Adults program in Tucson, Arizona, created a mock patient portal (ELAA Med+) for use in their free, community-based, volunteer-taught English language and computer basics classes. Built with readily available web tools, ELAA Med+ is a rich health and digital literacy tool that includes opportunities for adult learners to practice contacting their health care providers, requesting prescription refills, and scheduling appointments in a mock patient portal designed to imitate patient portals used by local Tucson health care providers. This article grounds the mock patient portal project in current health and digital health literacy research, describes best practices for creating and implementing a mock patient portal in a volunteer-taught adult English language and literacy program, and shares lessons learned.