Patient Portal

What is a Patient Portal?

Patient portals are web-based communication tools that allow patients to interact with their healthcare providers and gain access to their own health data. Patient portal applications can exist as stand-alone websites, they can integrate with a medical organization’s existing website, or they can be added on to a provider’s EMR system. The important thing, no matter what kind of application a provider chooses to employ, is that patient portals have the ability to increase patient engagement by providing secure access to medical information online.

With the medical industry shifting its focus to patient-centered care and more and more patients seeking health resources online, patient portal use has started to see rapid growth. Not only do online portals support greater patient involvement, but they can help providers increase office efficiency and streamline workflows by moving non-urgent communications online.

Patient portals allow providers to:

• Send/receive messages to/from doctor’s office (i.e.: Send faxed medication request to pharmacy)

• Communicate with patients through secure messages

• Post lab and imaging results

• Send reminder notices

• Post patient consent forms

• Make billing information available

• Provide patient education materials

With patient portal software patients can:

• View and enter medical history

• View and update allergy and medication lists

• Send messages to the doctor’s office

• Complete registration forms

• Update demographic information

• Request appointments and prescription refills

• Obtain patient education materials

• View account statements and pay medical bills

Start improving communication, increasing efficiencies, and educating patients today. Browse our Software Reviews section for information on companies providing patient portal services.

Using Patient Portal Technology to Meet Stage 2 Meaningful Use

In order to meet new Meaningful Use Stage 2 guidelines promoting patient engagement, physicians will need to incorporate patient portal technology which will allow patients to gain access to their health data. Under proposed Stage 2 requirements, for example providers will need to be able to provide patients with clinical visit summaries within three business days. In addition, providers will need to provide access to information such as lab results and medication lists, upon request.

One of the biggest obstacles with patient portal integration will be attracting patients to the online resource. This will depend largely on the site’s ease of use and appearance; therefore, choosing the right patient portal will be key. To read more about using patient portal software to meet Stage 2 Meaningful Use guidelines, click here.

Patient Portal Spotlight Vendor

Medical Web Experts is uniquely positioned in the medical web development industry and specializes in patient portals, EMR software integrations, secure patient messaging and more. MWE's patient portal features include self-registration, custom online forms, appointment requests, prescription refills, online bill pay and much more. Find out more.

Omedix Patient Portal is the self-service component of Engage: the Omedix Patient Engagement Platform. Omedix Patient Portal enables collection of payment online, streamlined communication between patient and practice, and a dramatically more efficient patient intake process.

To submit your website to our Patient Portal resource directory please click here.
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