Why Is the Patient Portal Important In Healthcare
A patient portal is a convenient and secure online website that allows patients to access their medical data anytime, anywhere, so long as they have an internet connection.
In addition, patient portals will also have other features such as direct messaging, physician reputation management, and secure bill payments that make it easier for patients to access medical care.
Undoubtedly, a patient portal is a convenient way for physicians to build a good relationship with their patients while also ensuring that patients receive the best care.
And if, as a healthcare provider, you’re still not convinced that a patient portal is an absolute necessity for your practice, here are five more ways how this piece of technology can transform your work.
1. Enhance Client Loyalty
The patient portal’s secure messaging feature lets patients engage with their care providers even beyond office hours. Patients can ask questions in between appointments and share their medical issues without visiting the office. Such conversations allow patients to have a connection with their providers.
Besides, the patient will feel valued when a doctor regularly checks on them even beyond their appointment hours. This helps improve the relationship you have with your patients and, in the end, improves the patients’ loyalty to your practice.
2. Improves Disease Management
A patient portal will enable a doctor to do a proper follow-up, especially among chronically ill patients, which improves disease management.
Some portals will send appointment reminders to patients, ensuring that they don’t miss their doctor’s appointment. Patients can also ask for prescription refills on the portal, which improves compliance.
Moreover, the portal makes it easier for patients to own their health, as it provides access to medical data and educational resources specifically for the patient’s health condition.
When a patient can also discuss their medical issue with their healthcare provider, it encourages them to be more engaged in their care.
3. Improves Patient-Doctor Communication
With secure messaging, patient portals have made it more convenient for patients to communicate with their care providers.
Patients no longer have to constantly visit their doctor’s office or have long phone conversations with their physicians. Patients now enjoy 24/7 access to their medical records and their doctors. This is especially beneficial to patients who may have chronic conditions that impair their ability to travel.
Besides, the portal allows patients to book appointments, get prescription refills and referrals, all at the comfort of their homes.
4. Saves on Time
With a patient portal, your staff won’t need to schedule appointments, answer referral questions or note down patients’ refill needs, as all these can be accomplished electronically on the portal.
Further, patients don’t have to fill forms before an appointment, as they can conveniently schedule their appointment online. This gives your front office staff more time to concentrate on important matters such as attending to patients who are at the facility.
Patients can also gain access to education resources and essential information about their health on the portal, which means by the time they are coming for their appointment, most of their questions will have been answered. This gives you more time to attend to patients who may have more severe and urgent medical needs.
5. More Focus on Patient Care
As a doctor, a patient portal enables you to focus more on your patients’ medical needs. The portal reduces distractions, allowing you to focus on giving your patients better care solely. You no longer have to waste time on tasks such as looking for your patients’ records or conducting appointment follow-ups.
Besides, a patient portal allows patients to communicate with you conveniently. Communication is made easy as patients can access the portal on their smartphones, and as a doctor, you can also answer messages even when you aren’t in the office.
In closing, patient portals have many benefits for both patients and medical providers. They eliminate time wastage, improve communication, enhance patients’ loyalty, improve disease management and allow you to focus more on your patients’ care. Hopefully, now you’re convinced that a patient portal is an excellent investment for your practice.
