What Are Patient Portals? |
When Do You Use Patient Portals? |
When Not to Use Patient Portals |
Benefits
A growing number of patients are turning to the Web to access healthcare information.
In response to this demand, more and more physicians and hospitals are using "patient portals" as gateways for patients to find information.
Patients can also communicate with their physicians and access services using patient portals. Here is some information to help you understand how.
What Are Patient Portals?
A patient portal is a website you can use to securely interact with your doctor's office to perform some of the routine, health-related tasks that you would normally conduct at the office or by phone.
When Do You Use Patient Portals?
Most patient portals allow you to conduct the following tasks:
- Update your doctor about your condition or medications
- Clarify advice given to you during an office visit
- Ask general health questions that do not require a routine examination
- Request appointments, prescriptions, and referrals
- Obtain reliable health and disease information
- View and pay bills
If you choose to communicate with your doctor using a patient portal, you should keep your messages to your doctor clear and concise. Take the time to organize your thoughts. Remember that the message you send will become part of your medical record.
When Not to Use Patient Portals
If you have a new medical problem that needs to be diagnosed, you can use the patient portal to make an appointment for an office visit. That way, your doctor can conduct a physical exam and ask additional questions.
You should also never use a patient portal if you have a medical emergency and need a quick answer. Difficulty breathing, bleeding, or severe abdominal pain all require immediate, personal medical attention.
Benefits
Well-educated, web-savvy people seem to be the most comfortable with patient portals. But, they are not the only ones. Communicating with a doctor's office online may solve transportation problems for older adults or people who cannot drive.
An increasing number of physicians and hospitals are using patient portals to communicate. If you'd like added healthcare convenience, then a practice that has a patient portal may be right for you.
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http://www.chcf.org/topics/view.cfm?itemid=21600. Accessed September 17, 2012.
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Last reviewed September 2012 by Brian Randall, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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