Patient Portals Promoting Patient Centeredness While Enhancing Communication

1. Patient PortalsPromoting Patient CenterednessWhile Enhancing Communication RI Statewide PCMH Learning Collaborative February 5, 2011 Andrea Arena MD Chris Campanile MD

2. What is a portal? • Secure log-in • Allows patients to view their medical record • Messaging between patient and practice • Messaging between providers

3. Some Considerations… • Does your EHR have message portal capability? • What should the patient have access to view? • Do you have control over this? • Should you restrict patient enrollment? • How do you enroll patients? • How do you explain appropriate use to patients? • Is a trial period/pilot appropriate?

4. Enrolling a Patient for Webview Ability to turn off access

5. Password Protected Log-In

6. What can the patient view? • Problem list • Current meds list • Test results • Past medical history • Vitals • Messages from their provider

7. Administrator Control of Accessible Chart Elements Patient Name

8. Viewing Medications List Patient Name

9. Viewing Lab Results Patient Name

10. Viewing Imaging Results Patient Name

11. Outgoing Messages

12. Message Templates

13. Patient Email Notifications

14. Patient Messaging

15. Patient Messaging

16. Incoming Patient Messages

18. Patient Name

19. Advantages for the provider • Improved method of communication • More focused communication • Not time dependent • Decrease in phone volume • Elimination of support staff involvement • Information flows through patient chart • Allows for e-visits • Online access to patient records • PCMH expectation • Promotes patient involvement in their own care

20. Advantages for the Patient • Access to their medical information • Direct, easy access to their physician • Encouragement to become more involved in their care

21. Examples of portal use • Notifying patients of test results • Out of office follow-up for sick patients • Patient reporting of self-monitoring results • Follow-up on goal setting • Addresses inappropriate patient requests • Abx, costly imaging • Medication adherence

22. Potential pitfalls • Patients could see a test result before you do • Over-utilization by patients • System can go down

23. Future • Develop provider-to-provider connection • Ability to attach pt. ed. material • Blast emails applicable to all patients • Alerts re: clinical measures that are due for a given patient

24. The Truth About A Patient Portal • It is not something to fear • Patients do not abuse this enhanced access to their Dr. • It creates efficiencies • It allows for greater quality and patient safety • It empowers patients and promotes greater involvement in their own care