take control of your health patient portal

by Ramon Cummings 8 min read

Take control of your health care (exert your patient …

17 hours ago  · Take control of your health care (exert your patient autonomy) May 7, 2018. By Carolyn A. Bernstein, MD, FAHS, Contributor. Autonomy means being in control of your own decisions without outside influence — in other words, that you are in charge of yourself. It is considered an essential development step toward maturity. >> Go To The Portal


Track test results, communicate with providers and more through a patient portal, now more often available for smartphone. One of the most powerful ways you can take control of your healthcare is to use a “patient portal.”

Full Answer

What can I do in the patient portal?

You can use your patient portal to manage all aspects of your health, from anywhere! Log in to securely chat with your doctor, view your records and test results, and request new appointments.

How can we help you take control of your health?

We can help you take control of your health and make lasting lifestyle changes. For most, heart disease and type-2 diabetes are preventable and reversible. Some family history and lifestyle factors may contribute to your risk of disease.

How do I enroll in the new patient portal?

We've have a new, improved Patient Portal! November 1, 2021: Current patients, check your email inbox for a message from patientservices@medfusion.net. It will have a link to enroll in the new portal. If you didn't receive an email invitation, please call us: 877-855-7526. Sign up today for our new, improved portal.

What are personal health records and patient portals?

Personal health records and patient portals are powerful tools for managing your health. If you're like most people, you have a number of health concerns and may visit multiple doctors and pharmacies. Keeping track of it all can be a challenge.

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How do you use patient portal?

If your provider offers a patient portal, you will need a computer and internet connection to use it. Follow the instructions to register for an account. Once you are in your patient portal, you can click the links to perform basic tasks. You can also communicate with your provider's office in the message center.

What are the disadvantages of patient portals?

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.

Why is patient portal important in healthcare?

Engaging patients in the delivery of health care has the potential to improve health outcomes and patient satisfaction. Patient portals may enhance patient engagement by enabling patients to access their electronic medical records (EMRs) and facilitating secure patient-provider communication.

Can patient portals be hacked?

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 patients not use patient portals?

About seven in 10 individuals cited their preference to speak with their health care provider directly as a reason for not using their patient portal within the past year. About one-quarter of individuals who did not view their patient portal within the past year reported concerns about privacy and security..

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.

How do patient portals improve patient outcomes?

Most of the portal interventions used tailored alerts or educational resources tailored to the patient's condition. Patient portal interventions lead to improvements in a wide range of psychobehavioral outcomes, such as health knowledge, self-efficacy, decision making, medication adherence, and preventive service use.

How do you improve patient portals?

Here are some ways to encourage patient enrollment:Include information about the patient portal on your organization's website.Provide patients with an enrollment link before the initial visit to create a new account.Encourage team members to mention the patient portal when patients call to schedule appointments.More items...•

How do patient portals improve patient engagement?

Patient portals have demonstrated benefit by improving adherence to medications and providing patient-provider communication. They may reduce in-person and emergency department visits, facilitate patient discovery of errors in electronic medical records (EMRs) and reduce the cost of care.

Is patient portal safe?

Patient portals have privacy and security safeguards in place to protect your health information. To make sure that your private health information is safe from unauthorized access, patient portals are hosted on a secure connection and accessed via an encrypted, password-protected logon.

Is patient portal legitimate?

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.

How do you know if your medical records have been hacked?

The first sign of medical identity theft may come in a bill for medical services you did not receive or in a phone call or letter from a debt collector inquiring about a medical debt that's not yours. Other signs include an unfamiliar medical collection notice on your credit report or mistakes in your medical record.

Why do we use compassionate care?

We use compassionate care to get to know each patient on a human level. We pair you with your local care team at every appointment, where possible, so you see the care providers you know and trust and who have a real interest in your future well-being.

How long does it take to get an appointment at a clinic?

While we discourage walk-ins, you can usually get an appointment within 24 hours of your request, and typically, with your primary care provider.

Is health information on our website a substitute for health care?

The health information contained on our website should not take the place of recommendations or advice from your health care provider. The information is not intended to substitute for the users’ relationships with their physician and should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. If you believe you have a medical condition or problem, contact your health care provider.

Does my employer have access to my medical records?

We take your privacy seriously. Your employer does not have access to your confidential medical data. We adhere to HIPAA guidelines, and all electronic medical records are maintained on a secure Health by Design network to ensure patient confidentiality.

What information goes into a PHR?

In general, your PHR needs to include anything that helps you and your doctors manage your health — starting with the basics:

What are the benefits of a PHR?

Having a PHR can be a lifesaver, literally. In an emergency you can quickly give first responders vital information, such as diseases you're being treated for, medications you take, drug allergies, and contact information for your doctor.

Will my information be kept private?

In addition, federal laws have been put in place to protect the security of personal health information.

What is the difference between a PHR and an EHR?

But EHRs contain more extensive information because they're used by health care providers to store visit notes, test results and much more. A PHR that is tied to an EHR is called a patient portal. In some but not all cases you can add information, such as home blood pressure readings, to your record via a patient portal.

Why is a PHR important?

If you see multiple doctors and they don't use the same EHR system , a PHR is a good way to keep all of your health information in one place. A PHR also empowers you to manage your health between visits. For example, a PHR enables you to: Track and assess your health.

What is the medical ID on iPhone?

You could use an app such as the Health app for iPhones, which includes Medical ID, which makes critical information available via the lock screen for use by first responders in an emergency. Medical ID can display medical conditions, allergies, medications, blood type and emergency contacts. You can also use it to indicate if you're registered to be organ donor.

What are some things you can add to your health history?

You can also add information about what you're doing to stay healthy and prevent disease, such as: Home blood pressure readings. Exercise and dietary habits. Health goals, such as stopping smoking or losing weight.

Hospital & Physician-Based Services

Use this portal to access your records for any of the following services or clinics.

COVID - 19 Precautions

With the new public changes due to the recent illness, in an effort to keep our patients and staff safe, Family Health West is implementing a temporary way for our patients to make account payments.

Patient Portal

Sign up today for our new, improved portal. We've made it easier for you to take control of your health care, 24/7.

You can use the new patient portal to

Communicate privately with your care team: ask questions, share new information, upload attachments, and more.

Patient Overview

For most, heart disease and type-2 diabetes are preventable and reversible. Some family history and lifestyle factors may contribute to your risk of disease.

Lifestyle Program

The Boston Heart Lifestyle Program provides tailored lifestyle management aimed to improve patient health for the long term.

Patient Education

Discover Boston Heart's patient education materials and resources. We aim to provide you with the tools and information you need to understand your risk and make getting healthy easier.

Test Menu

Boston Heart’s scientists and medical staff have developed a portfolio of exclusive advanced lipid tests and novel methodologies for cardiovascular risk stratification and chronic care management.

Insurance and Billing

Understanding our comprehensive services for insurance, billing and payment.

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