is the patient portal a good idea

What is a patient portal and is it safe?

A patient portal is a secure online website that gives patients convenient, 24-hour access to personal health information from anywhere with an Internet connection. Using a secure username and password, patients can view health information such as: Recent doctor visits. Discharge summaries.

Do patient portals improve patient adherence to treatment plans?

A review of studies in 2012, before the surge in patient portals, found that those patients who utilized the portals had better adherence to treatment plans and were less likely to visit their doctor for small issues.

What is integrated patient portal software?

Integrated patient portal software functionality usually comes as a part of an EMR system, an EHR system or practice management software. But at their most basic, they’re simply web-based tools. You can use patient portals to retrieve lab results, ask a question or update patient profiles and insurance providers.

What are the different types of patient portals?

There are two main types of patient portals: a standalone system and an integrated service. Integrated patient portal software functionality usually comes as a part of an EMR system, an EHR system or practice management software. But at their most basic, they’re simply web-based tools.

Is patient portal good?

The Benefits of a Patient Portal You can access all of your personal health information from all of your providers in one place. If you have a team of providers, or see specialists regularly, they can all post results and reminders in a portal. Providers can see what other treatments and advice you are getting.Aug 13, 2020

What are the advantages of using the patient portal?

Portals can increase patient loyalty. The ongoing relationship and communication that occurs outside of appointments encourages patients to feel cared for and to remain loyal to your practice. Increase your value. Patients value the easy access to information and direct communication that comes with portal use.

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.Feb 17, 2016

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.Nov 11, 2021

What should be in a patient portal?

A robust patient portal should include the following features:Clinical summaries.Secure (HIPAA-compliant) messaging.Online bill pay.New patient registration.Ability to update demographic information.Prescription renewals and contact lens ordering.Appointment requests.Appointment reminders.More items...

How can the patient portal affect patient satisfaction?

Patient portal users reported a high degree of usability and general satisfaction: 93% (891/957) of respondents felt the patient portal was easy to use, 83% (794/957) said it made communication more convenient, and 75% (716/957) indicated it saved time when scheduling an appointment.

Can patient portals be hacked?

Health outcomes improve. Unfortunately, what makes your patient portal valuable for patients is exactly what makes it attractive to cybercriminals. It's a one-stop shop for entire health records, and identity thieves can make a fast buck from stealing this data and selling it on.

Why do some patients fail to participate in the use of the 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.

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

The system must use strong passwords and should include the latest encryption and other protections. Otherwise, patient data could be compromised, leading to fraud and identity theft. A portal can be tough for some patients to comprehend, especially if they have been used to doing things the old-fashioned way.May 23, 2017

Why should patients have access to their medical records?

The studies revealed that patients' access to medical records can be beneficial for both patients and doctors, since it enhances communication between them whilst helping patients to better understand their health condition. The drawbacks (for instance causing confusion and anxiety to patients) seem to be minimal.

Why is Patient Portal Important?

One of the remarkable benefits of a patient portal is patient engagement, which allows patients to actively engage in their healthcare.

How do Patient Portals Create Value for Patients?

Patient portals create a lot of value for patients, including their primary function of providing them easy access to their medical records. They help to improve the relationship between the providers and patients as they keep them connected 24/7.

When did Patient Portals Start?

Patient portals started after the introduction of Electronic Health Records. The first EHRs, which would eventually come packed up with patient portals, started developing in the 1960s.

What are Some Basic Patient Portal Features?

Patient portals are designed to help patients securely view their health data, consult a healthcare provider, schedule their appointments, and do more to be active participants in their health care process.

How is Patient Portal Implementation Done?

The implementation of patient portals involves different steps to be followed- from research to final implementation and execution of them as a system. Here are six steps to implement a patient portal:

What are Patient Portal Regulations?

Organizations must be aware of patient portals regulations before they introduce one within their system.

What are the Pros and Cons of Patient Portals in Healthcare?

Patient portals pose many challenges and provide benefits for the enhancement of quality care. Effectively using a patient portal is not easy because the portals come with many pros and cons in the healthcare industry.

Overview

Patient portals improve the way in which patients and health care providers interact. A product of meaningful use requirements, they were mandated as a way to provide patients with timely access to their health care. Specifically, patient portals give patients access to their health information to take a more active role.

Primary Benefits

No matter the type of platform you choose, your patient portal can provide your patients with secure online access to their medical details and increase their engagement with your practice. And not to mention that it does so while providing several benefits for health care providers as well. Some of these benefits include:

Notable Challenges

While many people have used a patient portal by now, they have mixed reviews at best. As you can see in the section above, there are plenty of benefits that patient portals provide. But unfortunately, their potential has yet to be fully harnessed.

Emerging Trends

If patient portals are a mixed bag, why should the patient portal receive greater consideration in the EHR, EMR and practice management selection processes? Because when you look at current industry trends, patient portals are well on their way to improving. Some of these trends include:

How to Use a Patient Portal

With patient portals, the first and foremost thing you will need is a computer and a working internet connection. Create a customized user’s account in the software to avail medical services on your own. Once you enter the patient portal, click on links and products sold by the provider and tap into a new experience.

Solution Evaluation

Now that you know what a patient portal is and given the potential and growing importance, how should you evaluate the best portal for your practice or facility? You can select a standalone patient portal that a third-party vendor commonly hosts through the cloud as a health care provider.

Final Thoughts

It’s clear that using a patient portal software can provide several benefits for your medical practice. After accounting for these nine considerations, you should be ready to start using a patient portal. The only decision left to make is which platform you’ll use.

Why do we need patient portals?

They do defer administrative burden for the patients that do bother to look online and answer their own questions. However, the real reason why patient portals improve clinical interactions (for those who use them) is that with access to lab results, history of results and care, patients are able to come in better prepared for the meager time they are afforded during one-on-one examinations. In other words, better access to data as well as any notes your doctor may have on that care allows patients to be more proactive about their own care.

Why do patients use portals?

However, the real reason why patient portals improve clinical interactions (for those who use them) is that with access to lab results, history of results and care, patients are able to come in better prepared for the meager time they are afforded during one-on-one examinations.

How has health IT changed healthcare?

Health IT systems are dramatically changing the way patients interact with healthcare administrations. Anyone who has ever received medical care or had to sort out health insurance matters knows that anything involving healthcare can be a laborious process for all parties. Primarily, the paperwork aspect alone is a large part of what makes the process very slow. Going digital on these processes has made things much quicker in terms of transmission of information and being able to acquire accurate information as well. That’s not the only aspect that’s different, though. Let’s take a look at some ways Health IT is changing the patient experience in clinics and healthcare administrations.

Why is it important to schedule appointments online?

Being able to schedule appointments online and see all of your clinical data is now an integral part of receiving care. While these quality of life changes are not incredibly important to the elderly, it becomes more important as age skews younger. However, the patient experience for the younger audience is shifting dramatically. Gen X’ers and Millennials can recall the experience of going to the doctor’s office when they were minors to be markedly different than how things proceed for them as adults. This is largely due to Health IT systems coupled with an increased demand for healthcare.

Why are private practices so vulnerable?

Private practices are especially vulnerable because they lack support from a greater infrastructure.

Why are patient portals not connected?

It’s that patient portals are not connected. Because of the increase in demand for Health IT technology is increasing rapidly, there are many portal solutions that have no communication with one another.

Why do you need to outsource billing and coding?

This is all the more reason why outsourcing your medical billing and coding needs can greatly enhance the quality of interactions in your practice or administration. With more time freed up from not having to deal with paperwork, your office staff can devote their efforts to the things that really matter.

Why is educational content important for patients?

Educational content hosted on patient portals can make it easier for patients to take a more active role in their care. They can have access to relevant information about their conditions, medications, all in one place on the Internet. Patients no longer have to sift through a stack of pamphlets just to get the information they need.

Why is patient engagement important?

Engaged patients have better health outcomes, are more satisfied with their care, and are more likely to return to the organization in the future. Educational content hosted on patient portals can make it easier for patients to take a more active role ...

How did the Internet impact healthcare?

Now, patients can take a much more active role in their care by having nearly instant access to their own medical records. In the past, a patient had to get medical records by showing up to the doctor’s office and asking them for a copy. Now, most of the information is digitized.

Can patient portals make appointment reminders?

Time is also spent on reminding people of appointments. Patient portals can make appointment reminders automated, when integrated with your CRM that keeps track of all of these automations, which leads into the next benefit.

Can a patient portal be integrated with a CRM?

If a patient portal has appointment scheduling and is integrated with your CRM, the patient’s appointment is scheduled and a tag is applied in the CRM making it known that the patient has scheduled an appointment. This is powerful, and nobody on staff needed to do anything to make it work!

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.

How many patients left their doctor's office in 2016?

A new study shows that “96% of patients report leaving their doctor’s office with limited knowledge of how to use the portal. Of the 40% of patients who said they had attempted to use the software in 2016, 83% said it was too complicated to use.”

Do hospitals stop using portals?

While the efforts to get patients onto portals haven’t yielded good results, most hospitals and practices will actually stop at nothing to get you using their portal. A program called “Meaningful Use” requires them to meet certain regulations that increase their Medicare/Medicaid reimbursements.

Overview

Primary Benefits

• No matter the type of platform you choose, your patient portal can provide your patients with secure online access to their medical details and increase their engagement with your practice. And not to mention that it does so while providing several benefits for health care providers as well. Some of these benefits include:

See more on selecthub.com

Notable Challenges

Emerging Trends

How to Use A Patient Portal

Solution Evaluation

Final Thoughts