dental patient portal challenges

Other disadvantages of patient portals include alienation and health disparities. Alienation between patient and provider occurs for those who don’t access these tools. Sometimes, this is due to health disparities if a person doesn’t have a method for using them.

Full Answer

What are the challenges faced by dentists today?

Because of the ever-changing nature of dentistry, there are many challenges faced by dentists today. From money concerns to office issues and patient care, practices all over the world are being similarly affected. Below are 4 of the largest concerns that dental practices are currently facing:

What happens if a dentist messes up?

If a dentist messes up (or is perceived to have messed up) in any way, it could cause a patient complaint. Not only are patient complaints hard to hear, they could also result in a medical negligence suit. According to McCarthy + Co, patients can claim for dental negligence in many scenarios, including:

Why is it so hard to make a complaint about dentists?

Dental health is very important, and people are sensitive about their smiles. If a dentist messes up (or is perceived to have messed up) in any way, it could cause a patient complaint. Not only are patient complaints hard to hear, they could also result in a medical negligence suit.

Is corporate dentistry threatening private practice dentistry?

Corporate Dentistry – Private practice dentistry is being threatened by corporate dentistry. Many larger brands are incorporating a wider variety of services including groceries, household goods, clothing, yard care needs, and are now offering optometry and dentistry services as well.

What are the disadvantages of a patient portal?

Even though they should improve communication, there are also disadvantages to patient portals....Table of ContentsGetting Patients to Opt-In.Security Concerns.User Confusion.Alienation and Health Disparities.Extra Work for the Provider.Conclusion.

What are the top barriers to patient portal adoption use?

Burying lab results or not offering access to clinician notes will likely keep patients from seeing the utility of the portal. Even if providers offer this health data, making it difficult for patients to navigate to it will reduce the utility in the technology.

What are the pros and cons of using a patient portal?

What are the Top Pros and Cons of Adopting Patient Portals?Pro: Better communication with chronically ill patients.Con: Healthcare data security concerns.Pro: More complete and accurate patient information.Con: Difficult patient buy-in.Pro: Increased patient ownership of their own care.

Why do patients not use patient portals?

About one-quarter of individuals who did not view their patient portal within the past year reported concerns about privacy and security.. About 20 percent of individuals indicated the reason they did not access their patient portal was because they were uncomfortable with computers.

What are some of the barriers that have to be overcome in order for health information technologies hit to deliver value to Informaticists providers patients and society?

These included cost, technical issues, system interoperability, concerns about privacy and confidentiality, and a lack of a well trained clinical informatics work force to lead the process.

What are some of the challenges associated with clinical information systems adoption in healthcare?

These include limited access to capital; inadequate broadband and Internet infrastructure; health IT workforce shortages; organizational and cultural challenges, including work-flow issues; and security concerns.

Can you think of any potential disadvantages of patients using the patient portal system within the EHR justify your answer?

One con to keep in mind with patient portals is that some patients may not have much experience with computers, preventing them from getting the most out of it. Another drawback is the potential for data breaches, so you'll need to work with a vendor that provides robust, secure EHR software.

What are some of the potential negative effects of allowing a client to read their own record?

Perhaps it will inspire shame, hopelessness, or anger. A psychiatrist may be insecure about revealing poor record-keeping habits or, more subtly, may feel discomfort with the notion that reading the chart allows the patient to glimpse into the psychiatrist's mind.

How effective are patient portals?

While the evidence is currently immature, patient portals have demonstrated benefit by enabling the discovery of medical errors, improving adherence to medications, and providing patient-provider communication, etc. High-quality studies are needed to fully understand, improve, and evaluate their impact.

What is a reason for providers to be reluctant to use a patient portal?

The reason why most patients do not want to use their patient portal is because they see no value in it, they are just not interested. The portals do not properly incentivize the patient either intellectually (providing enough data to prove useful) or financially.

What are some advantages to a healthcare facility's use of the patient portal function?

The truth is, there are a lot of benefits to using a patient portal for providers.Better Patient Communication. ... Streamline Patient Registration and Administrative Tasks. ... Greater Focus on Patient Care. ... Better Patient-Physician Relationships. ... Improve Clinical Outcomes. ... Optimize Medical Office Workflow.

Do patients like patient portals?

Eight studies reported that patients or their caregivers want more portal education, training, or support. Two studies found that their participants want human connection as they learn about the portal and how to use it, as well as when they encounter issues.

Getting Patients to Opt-In

It’s a disadvantage of both the provider and patient when clients decide not to use a patient portal. Patients are missing out on the potential benefits available to them. Providers also need to spend more time going over information with the patient that they could just access on the portal.

Security Concerns

The AMA also says that security concerns are the reason why 22% of people aren’t taking advantage of these services. These concerns were more common in patients over 40 years old.

User Confusion and Anxiety

There’s always the risk of confusion when using a new online platform. Trying to learn all the functionalities can take some time. This is why some accounts offer new user tours to guide the person through all of the features.

Alienation and Health Disparities

Other disadvantages of patient portals include alienation and health disparities. Alienation between patient and provider occurs for those who don’t access these tools. Sometimes, this is due to health disparities if a person doesn’t have a method for using them.

Extra Work for the Provider

With each of the disadvantages of patient portals that I already mentioned comes unintended extra work for the provider. Doctors want their clients to use this service they offer but opt-in rates are still low among patients.

Conclusion

Patient portals are set up to be a benefit for clients. When people opt-in to using these services, they can use quick on-demand features to make their health experience better. For instance, it’s easier to obtain medical records, immunizations, prescription information, and other details.

What is the adage that you need customers with a problem only you can solve?

There is a business adage that you need customers with a problem only you can solve, and it’s for you to identify that unique selling point and communicate it clearly to your would-be customers. It’s the same when it comes to attracting and working with your patients.

How to maximize your returns?

Target your most profitable patients and people like them to maximise your returns. Work hard to create employee satisfaction. Ruthlessly cut back your overheads. Keep your finger firmly on the pulse of the profession. With forethought and tenacity, there’s no issue that can’t be overcome.

What does fatigue do to a dentist?

Fatigue can leave you disorganised, forgetful and cranky, not paying as much attention to patients as you should, and making mistakes. As business owners dentists have to pace themselves, which includes embracing strategic delegation, something that for any highly motivated individual isn’t an easy ask.

Why is employee buy in important?

Employee buy-in is very important for small businesses and dental offices in particular, as your team has so much interaction with your patients and can make or break your business. In a small office there tends to be fewer staff and any apathy has a greater impact.

Why is it important to have a balanced schedule?

Having a well-balanced schedule can tremendously improve your career longevity as well as maintain good staff and productive treatments like orthodontics. If you’re ready to expand your skill set and give orthodontics a go, check out the range of courses on offer at the American Orthodontic Society.

How to improve dental practice culture?

Discuss treatments with your clinical staff so they can also relay the importance of good oral care habits. Effective communication with dental staff can also vastly improve the culture and efficiency of your practice. Hold weekly meetings so your staff is up-to-date on your production goals and concerns with the office.

Why do you need to take an online course in orthodontics?

Taking an online or in-person orthodontics continuing education course can motivate you educationally and offer you a passive income to avoid dental practice burnout.

How to improve oral health?

Practice good communication skills with your patients by taking the time to explain treatment plans and involve your patients with their oral health. Doing so builds trust and also encourages them to take ownership of the health of their teeth.

What is the financial responsibility of a dentist?

Dentists have a major financial responsibility as a dental practice owner. Between rent and supplies and payroll, it can be costly and stressful. To alleviate stress as a dental owner, consider taking advanced continuing education courses with the American Orthodontic Society to incorporate orthodontics into your general or pediatric practice. Orthodontics is a simple way to offer necessary treatment for your patients and expand the services you offer your patients.

Why is communication important in dentistry?

Communication is key: with your team and your patients. Communication is one of the leading issues a dentist may struggle with. Sometimes it may be with a staff member and other times it may include a patient. Dentistry is very precise and detailed, which is why it requires several years of postgraduate education.

How many days can a dentist work?

You can choose to work as little as one day a week or as much as five days.

How to improve patient satisfaction and loyalty?

To achieve better outcomes and improve patient satisfaction and loyalty, providers must use technology that will facilitate continuous dialogue with patients utilizing personalized content and an empathetic tone. That two-way interaction will activate patients to be more participatory and empowered in their care, ...

Why do patients not care about meaningful use?

Patients don’t care about meaningful use and the fact that their provider will lose money if they don’t create an account and actually use the portal. Patient portals are notoriously obsolete and difficult to navigate, and patients often struggle to interpret medical information, such as test results.

Why do hospitals have patient portals?

Most healthcare organizations have implemented some form of a patient portal to meet meaningful use requirements mandated by the federal government. Providers hope that their EHR patient portal will help improve communication with patients, enabling them to intervene before a small medical problem turns into a hospital re-admission, ...

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While it still exists — it was the No. 2 mapping service in the U.S. as of 2015 — it’s been largely outmoded by Google Maps, Apple Maps, and other smartphone-based GPS services that have rendered pre-printed driving directions obsolete. MapQuest certainly helped pave the way for today’s GPS mapping services.

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Acquiring New Patients

Increasing Practice Revenue

Maintaining Dental Equipment and/or Technology

• Lastly, many dental practices struggle to keep their equipment and/or technology up-to-date. Although this is required to maintain compliance with various regulations, including HIPAA, many dental practices fail to apply patches, updates, and other important tasks. At the end of the day, it’s important to maintain your environment properly, in orde...

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