How patient portals can better serve the community and healthcare providers

A patient portal is an application that a clinic uses to provide a two-way method of communication between patients and physicians. Patient portals can be accessed 24/7 and generally contain information regarding appointments and payments. The implementation and regular use of patient portals has grown significantly in recent years. A survey in 2015 found that 15% of hospital patients and 30% of physician patients accessed patient portals. In 2018, these numbers had risen to 52%. Secure direct messaging features improve communication and ensure that patients and physicians stay connected with a patient portal. They also allow clients to be self-sufficient, streamlining various administrative tasks like scheduling appointments. Allowing patients to manage these processes has the bonus of saving medical practices significant amounts of time and resources.

How can a patient portal improve a patient's health care?

As well as streamlining administrative tasks, patient portals can improve patient healthcare. Patients have more accessible and faster access to communication channels with their physicians, giving them a platform to ask questions or raise concerns. For example, a patient can request a renewed prescription via their portal, eliminating the need to phone the medical clinic or book an appointment. Patient portals usually contain client information, including electronic health records and various other forms of medical data. When a patient comes into your clinic, the system you use will include all the information required to treat your patient effectively. Patient portals ultimately facilitate a more meaningful healthcare experience and allow patients to have a more significant role in managing their care.

• Streamline administrative tasks: As most healthcare providers know, administrative tasks can take up a lot of time and resources. Patient portals allow these tasks to be streamlined, increasing the productivity of your practice. For example, when booking their first appointment, patients must fill out a registration form that contains all of their personal information and medical history. This allows the process of checking in at the clinic at the time of their appointment to be much more efficient.
• Improve patient communication: Physicians typically lead hectic lives, and maintaining effective communication with their patients can sometimes be challenging. Using a patient portal makes this process easier, as physicians can respond to questions and concerns raised by patients in their portal rather than having to follow up with phone calls consistently. This has the added advantage of improving client experience, as patients will feel like they are being listened to and that their needs are being met.
• Clinical outcomes: Patient portals can improve the clinical effects of your practice. With a streamlined channel for communication, patients can reach out to their physicians, who can provide them with the resources they require. This is especially effective for referrals and renewed prescriptions.‍
• Boost workplace productivity: A patient portal facilitates a more organized and productive schedule, so your practice's workflow is consistently efficient. Patients can now complete tasks that administrative staff would otherwise have to complete on their own. This allows your practice's workflow to be optimized, and you can organize your schedule primarily around appointments with patients.

• Appointment scheduling: Patient portals contain scheduling systems and upcoming appointment information. Patients will have much greater flexibility when scheduling their appointments, as they no longer have to wait for the clinic's opening hours. A bonus of patient portals is an appointment reminder feature, which eliminates the possibility of patients forgetting their bookings and guarantees they can access the healthcare they need.
• Online payments: Online payment options make it much easier for patients to pay for their services. A patient portal also contains unpaid invoices and payment history, so the billing process is more transparent, and patients can stay on top of their finances.
• Communication: As a patient of a busy clinic, it can be hard to get in touch with specific physicians. With the patient portal, clients can directly contact their physicians with any concerns or requests, ensuring that all of their needs are met. 
• Reminders: As well as automated appointment reminders, patient portals can also generate reminders about specific services relevant to your healthcare, including flu shots, vaccinations, and annual check-ups. These reminders provide patients with important information and ensure they can access the healthcare they require.‍
• Patient information: Information regarding the patient's health is commonly uploaded onto their patient portal. This means that patients can access lab results, diagnoses, medical conditions, and prescriptions almost instantaneously, without needing to go into the clinic or communicate via the telephone.

Implementing patient portals is a secure way to improve the patient experience at your healthcare practice. Depending on the requirements of your business and the portal provider you use, patient portals can include direct messaging, online payments, real-time lab results, and medication information. These features facilitate a seamless experience at your clinic and ensure that patients are heard and their needs are met. Carepatron offers HIPAA-compliant software for healthcare businesses with an effective and reliable patient portal. Healthcare practitioners from various fields have used Carepatron to improve their relationships with patients and ensure that every client receives the highest healthcare quality possible. 

Further Reading:

• What are the benefits of increased access to the information? | HealthIT.gov
• Primary Care Providers' Views of Patient Portals: Interview Study of Perceived Benefits and Consequences