Preview

Patient Portals

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1827 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Patient Portals
Dyanna Thompson
ENG-123-X6485
Leah Tewell
08/10/2014
Research Shows How Patient Portals Impact Patient Care
Patient portals, which are secure web based applications, provide patients the ease of access to their health care records at any time. Some portals include features such as, obtaining prescription refills and lab results, and communicating with their provider. With close to 80% of the population in North America using the internet to seek out health information, portals continue to gain popularity. The use of portals and personal health record systems (PHR’s) is rapidly growing as the government continues to offer incentives to healthcare providers who demonstrate Meaningful Use of such systems (EHR Incentive Programs). This
…show more content…
And Dooling also explains in her article the importance of patient engagement with patient portals and personal health records in the Journal of Healthcare compliance, and states “the overarching goal is encouraging patient and family engagement” (Dooling 1). Her abstract also speaks for itself as she states, bridging the information gap should be “all about the patient” (Dooling, 33). Patients now have the ability to manage their own health information, thus allowing them the feeling of having control of this …show more content…
Patients also tend to be more satisfied as Sarah Jackson explains in her article that “improved and effective communication via secured internet portals boosts patient satisfaction” (Jackson, 2011). There is also much research being conducted on this front to determine how patients feel about the use of technology when it comes to their healthcare. California HealthCare Foundation, otherwise known as CHCF, continues to support research on the “innovative uses of technology” and works closely with Lake Research Partners on this front. In one survey they conducted from 2009-2010 it was revealed that, 56% of patients felt that by using a PHR they knew more about their health, and 52% felt they knew more about the care the doctor was giving (Lake Research Partners, 2010). And, according to another national consumer survey they also conducted, “users reported several positive effects directly related to using a PHR, such as learning more about their health and healthcare, asking new questions and taking steps to improve their health” (Lake Research Partners, 2010). By stimulating the patient and involving them in their care they likely ask more questions and get more answers, leaving them more informed about the care they

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    I think that the benefits of having medical information electronically stored in an internet database can be many things. One of the major benefits would be if something happened to you or a loved one and the ambulance needs to pick them up, they can have access to your information. This can in turn help save your life. The information is already in the database in the event that you do not remember or cannot speak at the moment. In the event that you go to a hospital where your regular doctors are not around, they can access your information. This helps so you do not receive the wrong medication which can lead to serious injuries or even death. Having…

    • 285 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    HIT 120 Class Project

    • 685 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The Patient Portal assists in building relationships between the patients and their physician. Patients can access information, request appointments, fill out forms and ask their doctor’s questions. Patients access their records via My…

    • 685 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Nt1330 Unit 3 Assignment 1

    • 1092 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Computer technology continues to make rapid advances in healthcare facilities. Many healthcare facilities have used computer programs for administrative functions such as payroll and billing. Electronic health record (EHR) systems have the potential to transform the health care system from a mostly paper-based industry to one that utilizes clinical and other pieces of information to assist providers in delivering higher quality of care to their patients.…

    • 1092 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    What I can see now in the United States, is a race between, EHR, EMR, and PHR. Electronic Medical Records or EMRs are the electronic versions of classic paper charts that are still used by some clinicians who are still not 100% compliant and use for diagnosis purposes. While Electronic Health Records or EHRs have a wider scoop of a mission, for primary doctors can follow their patient’s journey of care through internet connections, but also allowing other clinicians to have access to that information for the same purpose of care. And Personal Health Records or PHR that allows patients to keep their own medical records online and enable them to control everywhere without visiting a clinic. Wherever patients travel and need medical care, they can retrieve their own records using the Internet. Whatever their purpose, now that computer system is widely used in medical practices, than in paper-based system, everything that used to be handwritten by healthcare providers and staff, including medical biller and coder, is now entered into a computer, directly into EHRs. And with this system, EHRs can increase the efficiency of staff members in the practice and at the same time improve the quality of care for the patients. No more time spent looking for charts or missing information. Multiple staff members with appropriate access privileges can view and modify a single patient’s chart simultaneously. No one has to wait for a chart to mail or deliver…

    • 450 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the move toward electronic health records for patient’s there are obstacles that have to be addressed, procedures implemented into the process, and security maintained at the highest level.…

    • 749 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    National Ehr Mandate

    • 1237 Words
    • 5 Pages

    An electronic health record (EHR) defines as the permissible patient record created in hospitals that serve as the data source for all health records. It is an electronic version of a paper chart that includes the patient’s medical history, maintained by the provider over time, and may include all of the key administrative clinical data relevant to that persons care. Information that is readily available includes information such as demographics, progress notes, allergies, medications, vital signs, past medical history, immunizations, laboratory data, & radiology reports. The intent of an EHR can be understood as a complete record of patient encounters. It also allows for the automation and streamlining of the workflow on health care settings and increases safety through evidence-based decision support, quality management, and outcomes reporting. There are many functions associated with patient health records. Not only is the record used to document patient care, but the record is also used for financial, legal information, research, and quality improvement purposes. The integration of technology and health care will enable health professionals to provide more effective quality care.…

    • 1237 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    One specific mode of communication utilized by health care workers and consumers alike is electronic health records (EHR). We will discuss the benefits of this method of communication for the consumer, how it assists in maintaining patient confidentiality, the effectiveness of the EHR for communication between providers and the consumer, and how this method of communication differs from others. We will also discuss how media and social networking might change communication in health care. For many years the health care industry has used a paper method for recording medical information. This method of communication is outdated,…

    • 734 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    When it comes to privacy it has become a major concern to both patients and the medical staff. HIPAA and privacy rules help to protect the patient’s privacy. “The HIPAA Privacy Rule establishes national standards to protect individuals’ medical records and other personal health information and applies to health plans, health care clearinghouses, and those health care providers that conduct certain health care transactions electronically (2003).” Over time many studies have been conducted that shows that patient want to be in control over who can access their information. The privacy of patients has increased over the years with many different ways to keep personal information private.…

    • 1058 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    A personal health record (PHR) is a universal tool that consists of a comprehensive database of an individuals health documents. Personal health records are available in a variety of platforms, such as paper, the internet, personal computers, and portable devices. This paper describes the contents included in a personal health record as well as the steps to putting together a personal heath record. The advantages of having a personal health record can be a life saver. Patients can control their own health records and play a proactive role in better managing their personal health care information. Several concerns remain an issue with personal health records, issues such as security and privacy, costs, and lack of standardization.…

    • 4097 Words
    • 17 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Health information exchange (HIE) allows doctors, nurses, pharmacists, other health care providers and patients to appropriately access and securely share a patient’s vital medical information electronically. The HIE helps to improve the speed, quality, safety and cost of patient care and sharing of patient information. By electronically exchanging information, it can be standardized which can make data transferring seamlessly and can be integrated into the patient’s electronic health record (EHR). “The goal of health information exchange is…

    • 926 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Health Information Exchange (HIE) refers to the process of reliable and interoperable electronic health-related information sharing conducted in a manner that protects the confidentiality, privacy, and security of the information. Electronic health information exchange (HIE) allows doctors, nurses, pharmacists, other health care providers and patients to appropriately access and securely share a patient’s vital medical information electronically—improving the speed, quality, safety and cost of patient care. Despite the widespread availability of secure electronic data transfer, most Americans’ medical information is stored on paper—in filing cabinets at various medical offices, or in boxes and folders in patients’…

    • 2308 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Consumers today have the ability to access information related to their daily lives or even information related to events happening on the opposite side of the world. However, if this same consumer needed access to his or her personal health information, the ability of the patient or their health care provider to obtain the information would be limited. (Medows) Personal health information is not used to its full potential to support effective and efficient care due to fragmented information creation and storage. Our fast-paced always on the go society calls for a change to this state of isolated, fragmented health information. Whether it be a patient relocated due to a natural disaster or being able to identify a patient who was prescribed a recalled drug, having access to health information no matter where the patient may be is necessary. (Vest and Gamm, 2010) Making health information technology (HIT) will not only enable healthcare consumers access to their own medical history but also ensure that healthcare providers have timely access to medical records, improve the ease and safety of e-prescribing, improve payer reimbursement, and provide the information needed for population based health planning. (Medows) Policy makers, researchers, industry groups, and health care professionals agree that health information exchange (HIE) is the much needed solution. (Vest and Gamm, 2010)…

    • 2190 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Single Payer System

    • 1361 Words
    • 6 Pages

    For the past ten years technological innovation continued to grow, today there is some impressive technology that made many individual lives easier. Electronic health record is being used by many U.S. hospitals; this has help with organizing and making it more efficient to provide better care for patients. Another impressive technology is the portal technology, which allows physicians and patients to check health records online and intermingle online. Remote monitoring tools are very convenient tools; patients do not have to pay unnecessary costs for doctor…

    • 1361 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Every provider needs to access patient health records which gives the medical professional an opportunity to review prior health conditions, surgeries, and current medications. The EHR streamlines the retrieval process and allows access to information in real-time from any health care facility. Patients can often be misdiagnosed or receive a prescription with an incorrect dosage, but the new technology will help to evaluate patient health in an electronic format to reduce the regularity of medical errors and mistakes. There are potential risks with storing and accessing any data electronically, but encryption software and adding security measures will help to safeguard this information. Health informatics is designed to help providers and organizations strengthen the safety of this data through self-assessment and proper technological training. (Willison,…

    • 779 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Practitioners are helping to transformation healthcare. As I enter my new role, I plan to focus a large portion of my time on patient education. Treatment compliance is highly dependent on appropriate teaching. This will not only help optimize my patient’s current medical condition but their future well-being as well. Preventative education is the new wave of healthcare. So many medical issues can be prevented by identify potential risk factors early on and formulating a treatment plan to address them. In return, my patients will be healthier and their healthcare costs will be lower. I plan to incorporate innovative ways to encourage patient interaction and education. By utilizing current computer informatics into my practice, I will be able to reach more patients and families. It would allow me to set up educational classes or join in family members during a patient’s visit via the web. Not to mention, it would allow a collaborative conversation to occur with consulting physicians, to ensure the patient felt a team approach. As healthcare continues to evolve, I plan to evolve with…

    • 1101 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays