How to Improve the Patient Experience Using a Patient Portal
Up until recently, going to the doctor meant scheduling a consultation and comin...
August 3, 2020
Proven to have a positive impact on engagement, the patient portal has changed the patient’s role in their care forever. As providers search for ways to keep their patients connected, informed, and engaged throughout the life of their relationship, this tool can make the difference. Not only is it helping patients stay informed, but it actually leads to positive health results. Improved communication, self-efficacy, and health behaviors are all results providers are achieving through the implementation of this state-of-the-art technology. With the right patient portal, your patients have an avenue to successful outcomes and a positive relationship with their provider.
Improved Communication
The phrase “communication is key” may be a cliché, but it rings true for patients in regards to what they can achieve in their health. A clear line of communication that is accessible at all times is vital to making sure they have a pathway for engagement. The convenience and usability of a patient portal offer this exact opportunity for patients and providers to communicate. Quality messaging centers enable patients the chance to reach out to your team or their provider with important health questions. Even the smallest of questions, when answered, can help drive a patient to positive health results. If patients can only get these questions answered during a traditional visit setting, they are likely to forget things they hoped to address or only focus on what they feel is most critical, overlooking small details.
With improved communication found in the patient portal, patients can easily reach out at the moment rather than having to wait. With a simple login, they can quickly shoot their provider a question or development in the care which can shed light on important health issues. Something that might seem small at first might actually be an early sign to something more serious, and the patient portal helped address it early on, leading to positive results.
Patient Self-Efficacy
Self-efficacy is the process of producing or yielding your intended result on your own rather than depending on someone else. The patient portal gives patients the opportunity for self-efficacy and self-advocacy. With this tool, patients can review their care plan, their vitals, and find an overview of their overall health. This drives many patients to make decisions regarding their health that leads to more positive results. Before the patient portal, it was easy for patients to ignore their negative results and continue making poor decisions. Now, this clarity is giving patients the chance to produce the desired results they hope to achieve. For example, a study showed that providers see better medication adherence of 95% through the use of a patient portal.
Improved Patient Health Behaviors
Lastly, the patient portal is improving health behaviors for patients. Health behaviors include how often a patient adheres to follow-up care, whether or not they attend annual check-ups if they complete milestones in their care and more. Easily accessible and viewable on the patient portal, patients are able to understand and improve their health behaviors. They are more likely to get their flu vaccinations, check their blood pressure, get lipid level screens, and take other steps that lead to positive outcomes in their care.
A quality patient portal can lead patients to positive health outcomes. To learn more about a solution that can help you, click here.