why might a patient not have access to a patient portal

by Florine Nitzsche 4 min read

Most of your patients still aren’t using the portal. Here ...

23 hours ago May 14, 2019 · Evidence and Implications From a National Sample of U.S. Adults,” cites national health trend data. Here are the top five reasons why patients skip using the patient portal: Prefer to speak directly with physician—70%. No need to use the portal—57%. No online medical record—32%. No internet access—25%. Privacy concerns—22%. >> Go To The Portal


There are many different reasons why your patients may not be using your patient portal. Some are concerned about security. Some don’t understand how the patient portal is useful. Some just simply aren’t aware that you have a patient portal. No matter what you do, you may still have some patients who are resistant to using your patient portal.

Barriers for older adults
But among older adults, the two main barriers to portal use were concerns about privacy and security, and access and ability to use technology and the Internet. Unwanted information disclosure to caregivers with access to their patient portal was another particular deterrent for older adults.
Nov 22, 2019

Full Answer

Why do patients enjoy having patient portal health data access?

May 14, 2019 · Evidence and Implications From a National Sample of U.S. Adults,” cites national health trend data. Here are the top five reasons why patients skip using the patient portal: Prefer to speak directly with physician—70%. No need to use the portal—57%. No online medical record—32%. No internet access—25%. Privacy concerns—22%.

Are patient portals underutilized?

Aug 11, 2016 · However, many challenges to universal patient health data access still remain. Between underutilization of technology, lack of patient education, and inadequate health IT interoperability, patients and providers are struggling to ensure robust patient health data access. Underutilized patient portals. Due to requirements under the EHR Incentive Programs, patient …

How can patients access and share their health information?

Mar 21, 2019 · Implementing a patient portal was indeed a necessary component, but just one. If the chosen EHR included a patient portal, which most did, it was a no-brainer for providers to implement its basic components, often with a poorly defined plan for adding modules when MU deadlines were no longer looming.

What are the challenges to Universal patient health data access?

Feb 18, 2022 · A patient portal is a website for your personal health care. The online tool helps you to keep track of your health care provider visits, test results, billing, prescriptions, and so on. You can also e-mail your provider questions through the portal. Many providers now offer patient portals. For access, you will need to set up an account.

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Why do patients not use patient portals?

The researchers found no demographic differences among nonusers who said that a technology hurdle, lack of internet access or no online medical record was the reason why they did not make use of a patient portal.May 14, 2019

Who isnt using patient portals and why?

Sixty-three percent reported not using a portal during the prior year. In multivariable analysis, we found that nonusers were more likely to be male, be on Medicaid, lack a regular provider, and have less than a college education, compared to users.

What are challenges for patients that do not have access to all of the PHRS?

Between underutilization of technology, lack of patient education, and inadequate health IT interoperability, patients and providers are struggling to ensure robust patient health data access.Underutilized patient portals.Ambiguous security protocols.Limited health data interoperability.Aug 11, 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 are the downsides in restricting access to Ehrs?

Barriers Restricting Access to EHR Data in Support of Patient Safety and Privacy Laws Can Lead to Diagnostic Errors, Some Involving Clinical Laboratory Tests.Nov 7, 2016

What are the disadvantages of personal health records?

Are there drawbacks to PHRs? Building a complete health record takes some time. You have to collect and enter all your health information. Only a minority of doctors, hospitals, pharmacies and insurance companies can send information electronically to a PHR that isn't part of a patient portal.

What are some of the issues with PHRs?

The main areas of concern were identity theft and limitation of employment opportunities due to chronic conditions. Consumers wanted to share their data with providers but preferred to control who could access their health information.Feb 4, 2015

What are the pros and cons of patient portals?

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

Why patients should not have access to their medical records?

Several ethical implications need to be considered: increased information could improve patient trust and knowledge but might transfer an (unwelcome) sense of responsibility to patients; doctors and patients have conflicting views on how much information should be shared and when; sharing written information might ...Mar 2, 2020

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.May 23, 2017

Why are patient portals important?

Due to requirements under the EHR Incentive Programs, patient portals have become an important piece of technology for healthcare providers. Because patient portals are generally tethered to the EHR, they give patients a view into their health records, allowing them to learn more about their health and become more active in their care.

How much is the patient portal adoption rate?

Data from the American Medical Association shows that patient portal adoption is up to 92 percent, but these tools aren’t always being used to their fullest potential. Patients may be able to look at their data, but they aren’t using it to better their health.

Why is access to health data important?

August 11, 2016 - Patient access to health data is an important component of patient engagement because it empowers patients with knowledge about their conditions and incorporates the patient as a partner in care. Access to health data isn’t only good for improving care. It also drives patient satisfaction.

Why is interoperability important?

As with most current health technology endeavors, interoperability is crucial for patient access to health data. Without an interoperable health tool, patients are unable to access any health data their providers transmit to them.

Why are portals so complicated?

A big issue for many users is that portals are simply too complicated for at least two opposite kinds of users: those who have low computer literacy, and those who are so computer savvy that they expect the simplicity of an Uber or Instagram app to get a test result or appointment with a click or two.

Is the portal concept slow?

Acceptance of the portal concept continues to be slow, especially within physicians’ offices and small to middle size hospitals. Though these providers implemented portals via their Meaningful Use / MIPS incentives, portals are often not treated as a central communications tool. Patient engagement? Yes…a laudable objective for policymakers — but many physicians already lament the deep cuts in their daily patient schedule that have been created by complex EHR-related obligations. The added work of portal interaction has been the opposite of a pot-sweetener, despite touted financial benefits.

What is patient centered healthcare?

Patient-centered healthcare initiatives are underway to enable patients to take more responsibility for their healthcare. To do so, patients must be able to access and share their health information. 1–3 Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), patients have a right to see and obtain a copy of their medical records.

What is the healthcare industry?

The healthcare industry is at a crossroad of converging technology and regulations influencing patients’ access to their personal health information. This research revealed wide variation in contemporary practices affecting patient access.

When did the HITECH Act become effective?

Under the HITECH Act, effective September 23, 2013, patients have the right to request their health information in electronic form. The act requires that any fee imposed to provide the electronic copy cannot exceed the labor and supply costs of responding to the request.

How to access a patient portal?

With a patient portal: 1 You can access your secure personal health information and be in touch with your provider's office 24 hours a day. You do not need to wait for office hours or returned phone calls to have basic issues resolved. 2 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. This can lead to better care and better management of your medicines. 3 E-mail reminders and alerts help you to remember things like annual checkups and flu shots.

What are the benefits of a patient portal?

Expand Section. With a patient portal: You can access your secure personal health information and be in touch with your provider's office 24 hours a day . You do not need to wait for office hours or returned phone calls to have basic issues resolved. You can access all of your personal health information from all ...

How much does an e-visit cost?

For minor issues, such as a small wound or rash, you can get diagnosis and treatment options online. This saves you a trip to the provider's office. E-visits cost around $30.

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Abstract

  • Patient-centered healthcare initiatives are underway to enable patients to take more responsibility for their healthcare. To do so, patients must be able to access, utilize, and share their health information. Access to health information through patient portals and other electronic means is increasing with the adoption of electronic health records (EHRs), but not all providers have EHR…
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Introduction

  • This research was undertaken to identify contemporary practices in providing patients with access to their health information. The increased adoption of health information technology has expanded patients’ access to their health information; however, in the transition from paper medical records to electronic health records (EHRs), existing health information management (H…
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Background

  • Patient-centered healthcare initiatives are underway to enable patients to take more responsibility for their healthcare. To do so, patients must be able to access and share their health information.1–3 Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), patients have a right to see and obtain a copy of their medical records. The American Recovery and Reinv…
See more on perspectives.ahima.org

Methods

  • Under a partnership between Texas State University and the AHIMA Foundation, selected AHIMA members were invited to complete an anonymous survey regarding policies and practices surrounding patients’ access to their health information. Respondents were asked to provide information related to patient access to personal health information and were specifically advis…
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Results

  • Of the 2,444 AHIMA members invited to participate in the survey, 313 responded, resulting in a 12.8 percent response rate. All but three states and the District of Columbia were represented in the responses.
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Discussion

  • These survey results were similar to previous studies that revealed wide variation in whether patients were being charged for their medical records and the fees that were being charged. The results also demonstrate adoption of EHRs and availability of patient portals. The healthcare industry is at a crossroad of converging technologies and regulations affecting patients’ access …
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Conclusion

  • The healthcare industry is at a crossroad of converging technology and regulations influencing patients’ access to their personal health information. This research revealed wide variation in contemporary practices affecting patient access. HIM professionals are uniquely positioned to play a practical and strategic role in ensuring that patients are able to access, utilize, and share t…
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Acknowledgments

  • The author thanks the AHIMA Foundation; Sue Biedermann, MSHP, RHIA, FAHIMA; Susan H. Fenton, PhD, RHIA, FAHIMA; and Lisa Mohrhoff. Kim Murphy-Abdouch, MPH, RHIA, FACHE, is a clinical assistant professor and clinical coordinator in the Health Information Management Department at Texas State University in San Marcos, TX.
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Notes

  1. Forsyth, R., C. A. Maddock, R. A. Iedema, and M. Lassere. “Patient Perceptions of Carrying Their Own Health Information: Approaches towards Responsibility and Playing an Active Role in Their Own He...
  2. American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). “Role of the Personal Health Record in the EHR (Updated).” Updated November 2010. Available at http://library.ahima.org/…
  1. Forsyth, R., C. A. Maddock, R. A. Iedema, and M. Lassere. “Patient Perceptions of Carrying Their Own Health Information: Approaches towards Responsibility and Playing an Active Role in Their Own He...
  2. American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). “Role of the Personal Health Record in the EHR (Updated).” Updated November 2010. Available at http://library.ahima.org/xpedio/groups/pub...
  3. US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Civil Rights. “Health Information Privacy: Guidance Materials for Consumers”.  Available at http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/...
  4. Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT. “Patient Electronic Access.” 2014. Available …