Are you using a patient portal.
If you regularly visit a physician or just get periodic health check-ups, patients portals provide a unique insight into your healthcare.
What is a patient portal?
A patient portal is a secure online website that gives patients convenient, 24-hour access to personal health information from anywhere with an Internet connection. Using a secure username and password, patients can view health information such as:
- Recent doctor visits
- Discharge summaries
- Medications
- Immunizations
- Allergies
- Lab results
Some patient portals also allow you to:
- Securely message your doctor
- Request prescription refills
- Schedule non-urgent appointments
- Check benefits and coverage
- Update contact information
- Make payments
- Download and complete forms
- View educational materials
With your patient portal, you can be in control of your health and care. Patient portals can also save your time, help you communicate with your doctor, and support care between visits.
I’m 74 years old and have congestive heart failure. Through my patient portal I can see record of all medications I take and when they were prescribed and income cases removed from my medication schedule. After each doctor visit I log on to my patient portal and check to see the results of the test I was given. this way I can see trends in my health. By looking at this data i can determine if any changes in life style have affected my health. My next appointment is also indicated and I can request prescription refills if necessary. The portal also gives me direct access to my doctor via email and I can schedule and appointment if needed.
My general practitioner brought patient portals to my attention several years ago and I use a portal with each doctor I visit. It is simply a way modern technology can make our lives better.
Ask your physician about a patient portal.
