How to leverage a patient portal for mental illness patients

An overview on the patient portal

A patient portal refers to a platform provided by a healthcare business that patients have access to. Depending on the requirements of your business, patient portals can include medical records, appointment and invoice information, and direct messaging channels between physicians and clients. Implementing a patient portal into your healthcare business facilitates effective communication between physicians and patients and ensures that the needs of patients are being met. The uptake of patient portals in recent years has been huge, and data from 2017 suggests that over 90% of hospitals utilize some form of the patient portal. This technology offers patients a more involved role to play in managing their own health, streamlines various administrative tasks, and saves time and resources for physicians,  demonstrating the effectiveness of implementing patient portals for healthcare teams. 

We understand that implementing new technology into your practice can be daunting, so we have developed a guide demonstrating how patient portals can be hugely effective for mental health clinics.

What features of a patient portal can healthcare providers tap?

The features included in a patient portal will largely depend on the size and capabilities of the healthcare business. Patient portals generally include the medical records pertaining to the patient, and these can only be accessed by authorized users. Patient portals should always be HIPAA-compliant, and the data they contain should be encrypted to guarantee patient privacy. Depending on the specific features of your patient portal, the information you can access includes:

1. Medical records, which can be viewed and printed. Your medical record will include immunization history, doctor/physician visits, allergies, and surgeries.
2. Lab or imaging results. 
3. Appointment information, including past and future appointments.
4. Invoice information, often with an online payment option. You can also view your payment history and any outstanding accounts.

The patient is always the authorized user of their medical records, and it is up to them to grant access to their healthcare provider. Even though the patient portal is often integrated into the broader software of a healthcare company, privacy rules are strictly maintained and patient data is protected.

Can a patient portal be used by mental healthcare workers and patients?

With the increase in telemedicine options being implemented by various healthcare businesses, the question of whether these are appropriate for patients seeking mental health care has arisen. Although the data is still in its early stages, the majority of research is suggesting that telehealth features like patient portals actually have significant benefits for mental illness patients. 

Mental health assessments and services that are integrated into patient portals can give physicians a greater understanding of the needs of their patients and also signal any indicators of any mental health conditions, allowing them to efficiently develop an appropriate treatment plan. Physicians review the responses to these questionnaires and assessments and, if necessary, can provide a diagnosis or request the patient come into the clinic for further assessment. Patient portals provide individuals with direct access to mental health care, eliminating certain barriers and speeding up the process of receiving help. 

Benefits of using a patient portal for mental illness patients

Implementing a patient portal is advantageous for both you and your patients. Whilst patients can have more direct access to the services they need and can play a larger role in managing their own care, physicians will save significant amounts of time on administrative tasks that have been streamlined. 

1. Online appointment booking: Patients often lead busy lives, and finding the time to phone or go into a medical office to book an appointment can be difficult. It can also be the case that patients with anxiety find the process of speaking on the phone extremely hard. With a patient portal, these issues can be eliminated and patients can securely book their appointments online. 
2. Clinical notes: Most patient portals are integrated with various other telehealth features, including clinical notes. A massive aspect of working as a mental healthcare physician includes taking thorough clinical notes following every session with a patient. Clinical note software provides physicians with templates so the formatting of their documentation is consistent. These systems also store clinical documentation securely, guaranteeing patient privacy. 
3. Online payments: Payments are made significantly simpler with a patient portal. Clients can log onto their portal to view their upcoming payments, and are even given the chance to pay online. This eliminates their need to phone or go into the office, allowing them to organize their finances from the comfort of their home. Online payments are also beneficial for the medical office, as they reduce the number of late payments and any awkward phone calls!
4. Medical records: Having access to medical records is often a key concern for patients with mental illnesses. It can be comforting and informative to be aware of the progress they are making, and the information pertaining to their current health status. Physicians also have the option of uploading client progress notes, which can improve patients’ understanding of their treatment.
5. Direct messaging: Two-way secure messaging is often a feature included within patient portals. This facilitates more effective communication between physicians and patients, and patients can ask any questions or concerns they may have, establishing a more meaningful relationship. Ensuring that mental illness patients feel as though they are being heard and that their needs are being met is an integral aspect of providing care, and the patient portal facilitates this. 
6. Video conferencing: Video conferencing software enables patients to meet their physicians remotely, via a secure platform. Video conferencing eliminates certain barriers facing patients and allows them to access quality healthcare regardless of where they live. It also takes into account various issues, including patients that are uncomfortable leaving the comfort of their own home, or who experience anxiety in doctor’s offices. 

Final thoughts

Patient portals are an example of advancing telemedicine technology that can benefit your practice and your patients. We understand that guaranteeing patient satisfaction is of particular importance for mental illness patients, and hopefully, this guide has demonstrated to you how this is possible with patient portals.

Making a decision around what patient portal software you want will be largely dependent upon your business needs. Carepatron is a fully integrated HIPAA-compliant platform that provides your clients with access to a secure patient portal. Patients can access their medical records, appointments, and payment information via the portal, allowing them to play a more involved role in managing their own care. Carepatron’s system is integrated with appointment scheduling software, medical billing, and clinical documentation storage, streamlining administrative tasks and allowing physicians to focus on delivering high-quality mental health care to their patients.

Further Reading

• State of mental health in America
• 6 Reasons Healthcare Is So Expensive in the U.S.