In the ever-changing world of healthcare, the way we manage the health of entire populations is evolving. One key aspect gaining attention is engaging patients actively in their own healthcare journey. Traditionally, we’ve relied on basic patient portals, but they don’t quite cut it in truly involving patients. Enter the era of next-generation patient portals, a necessary step to grab patients’ attention and effectively manage the health of entire populations.
The Transition to Next-Gen Patient Portals
Healthcare providers are in the process of moving towards a new approach called population health management. They recognize that involving patients in this process is crucial for success. However, the usual patient portals we’ve been using fall short in really engaging patients. These basic portals, although meeting certain requirements, don’t do much to actively involve patients in their own care. This is where the need for next-generation patient portals arises.
Why Next-Gen Portals Matter
To understand the significance of next-gen patient portals, we need to recognize that the current single-source portals have limitations. Healthcare organizations are being urged to use technology more effectively to support patients in managing their healthcare. Dr. P. Nelson Le, a senior clinical advisor for InterSystems, suggests that the future lies in patient portals that are interoperable, meaning they can communicate seamlessly with various sources, rather than being confined to a single source.
The Patient’s Perspective
From the point of view of patients, the existing portals can be quite confusing and burdensome. Each healthcare provider has its own separate portal, and patients have to deal with different registrations, log-ins, and passwords for each one. To make matters more complicated, these portals often display medical information in different ways. This lack of a unified view makes it challenging for patients to add follow-up information about their current condition, response to medications, or other indicators of their health status.
The Solution: A One-Stop Shopping Experience
Dr. Le suggests that to improve the patient experience, the current technology needs to evolve into a “one-stop shopping experience.” This means adapting single-source technology to create a unified portal where patients can access all their medical, pharmacy, laboratory, insurance, and other information seamlessly.
The Role of Next-Gen Portals in Communication
Beyond being repositories of information, next-gen patient portals are envisioned as communication tools between physicians and patients. Dr. Le emphasizes that patient engagement solutions should benefit both patients and physicians. Physicians need to know what happens between patient visits to provide effective care. Often, they only find out about medication issues or symptoms months later, missing valuable intervention time. Interoperable patient portals could bridge this gap, reducing wait times, speeding up tasks, and improving the accuracy of medical decisions.
The Importance of Patient Data Contribution
Engaging patients in the process is not just about receiving information; it’s also about allowing them to contribute data. The risk of losing contact with patients between encounters is significant. Dr. Le stresses that better data enables better decisions, leading to improved patient care. Moreover, when the entire care team communicates through the portal, workflows become more efficient, ensuring patients receive the most appropriate care in a timely manner.
Navigating Chronic Care with Next-Gen Portals
The comprehensive datasets offered by next-gen portals play a crucial role in managing chronic conditions. These portals can alert physicians to gaps in care, enabling proactive interventions before health deteriorates. The overarching goal is to keep patients as healthy as possible while minimizing healthcare expenditures – aligning with the key objectives of risk-based reimbursement systems.
Embracing the Future: Next-Gen Patient Portals
In conclusion, the evolution towards next-gen patient portals signifies a transformative shift in healthcare. It’s not just about technology; it’s about enhancing patient engagement, streamlining communication between patients and physicians, and improving overall healthcare outcomes. These portals aim to create a seamless, patient-centered experience, ultimately contributing to the well-being of individuals and the efficiency of healthcare systems.
General Information:
- What is a Patient Portal? by HealthIT.gov: https://www.healthit.gov/faq/what-patient-portal: https://www.healthit.gov/faq/what-patient-portal
- Patient Portals by MedlinePlus: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000880.htm: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000880.htm
- What to Know About Patient Portals by WebMD: https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/patient-portals-overview: https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/patient-portals-overview
Benefits and Impact:
- Electronic Patient Portals by Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ): https://www.ahrq.gov/patient-safety/reports/issue-briefs/healthit-ed-2.html: https://www.ahrq.gov/patient-safety/reports/issue-briefs/healthit-ed-2.html
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