topic Re: My Chart in Community Chat

My Chart

phoenixbrd — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 21:41:46 GMT

This is a medical portal for your medical history and information. Perhaps many of you are using this portal and like the electronic recording keeping and potential advantages. I can understand your preference. However, we are not prone to share electronic information. Doctors are able to write their personal observations/opinions. I know most won't and will be succinct and informative. Of course, I can ask if required.....just wondering if anyone has had the experience of declining the offer.

My question: has anyone ever refused to use a medical portal? I know the advantages and disadvantages....just wondering if necessary and your experience. Thanks for sharing.

Re: My Chart

Love my grandkids — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 21:50:57 GMT

@phoenixbrd I too am well aware of them but honestly have zero interest in using them. I'm glad I never used one with my now-ex eye doctor as I "fired" him recently and have a new one!

I sometimes get suggestions from a couple of medical providers about it but I'm really not interested.

Re: My Chart

jannabelle1 — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 21:56:32 GMT

My husband and I each have My Chart and never thought about declining to set it up. We've used it for routine questions that our doctors' nurses have answered for us, as well as getting some results and comments from our doctors. I find it invaluable, especially when it's difficult to leave phone messages in a busy doctor's office. If you feel so strongly against using it, then that's what you should do.

Re: My Chart

tansy — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 22:00:13 GMT

I think medical providers will be less likely to make personal observations with an electronic record. I like being able to access my labs, procedures, and visit notes quickly online.

Whether you choose to use it or not, your records will be available to other doctors electronically.

Re: My Chart

geezerette — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 21:56:58 GMT

A couple of my doctors have them available, but I don't use them.

Re: My Chart

RollTide2008 — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 22:00:03 GMT

I love My Chart. I can schedule appointments on it and review and pay my bill. It makes my life easier. I'm not going to be obstinate about using it.

Re: My Chart

deepwaterdotter — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 22:01:29 GMT

@jannabelle1 wrote:
My husband and I each have My Chart and never thought about declining to set it up. We've used it for routine questions that our doctors' nurses have answered for us, as well as getting some results and comments from our doctors. I find it invaluable, especially when it's difficult to leave phone messages in a busy doctor's office. If you feel so strongly against using it, then that's what you should do.

Same for us. I like to read the after-visit summary and doctor's comments.

Re: My Chart

Laura14 — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 22:07:42 GMT

I was initially resistant to it until I had a health scare. I was able to read on My Chart on a Sunday the report that told me I was fine.

My doctor's nurse didn't call me until almost a week later. It saved me days of worry and grief.

I am all for cutting the humans out of my life now and taking advantage of what I can do myself. Unfortunately, I have found in the healthcare industry the only person that really cares about you is still only you.

Re: My Chart

pupwhipped — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 22:13:42 GMT

I love them and I'm thankful to have the option. I can see all my tests results (current and years passed) easily and have sent numerous questions to my doctor via the portal and always get a quick response back from his nurse. At this point I can't imagine not having them!

Re: My Chart

Sooner — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 22:19:02 GMT

@phoenixbrd In today's world refusing to use the portal is not a battle I am going to fight. Nor online banking.

Re: My Chart

KailaS — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 22:25:58 GMT

I use My Chart for my PCP, but I do not use the portals related to the nine other doctors which I have. My sister rarely uses any portals for her own doctors, and two older relatives do not have Internet, tablets, or cell phones. So they cannot access their information. I do not think the " portal police" will knock on your door if you do not use My Chart.

Re: My Chart

CelticCrafter — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 22:39:15 GMT

Well, it would be good if all doctors used it, My husbands PCP doesn't use it, his pain management doctor doesn't use it, the podiatrist doesn't use it neither does the oncologist he sees once a year.

So what's the point of it if only his endocrinologist uses it.

Re: My Chart

riley1 — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 22:46:56 GMT

I did just set one up with my doctor's office - I don't want to be sitting around waiting for a phone call from someone. Easier for me to check everything myself.

My husband refuses to set one up. He is stubborn.

Re: My Chart

Sage04 — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 22:47:27 GMT

I love it. I use it to order medications, set up appointments and pay my bill.

Most important of all, I look forward to seeing the results of any test and don't have to wait for a phone call.

Re: My Chart

JaneMarple — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 22:50:24 GMT

I have Mychart and it's a life changer in that I can see all of my health records, refill medications, ask questions, see medical test results and also keep up with appointments. All of my doctors including specialists are all on Mychart.

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, my entire medical team were well informed of one another's input. Love the portal.

Re: My Chart

BlueFinch — Thu, 15 Dec 2022 00:10:54 GMT

I love my patient portal with my PCP. I use it to ask questions, set up appointments, ask for med refills and other typical business.

But, I mostly love to review lab results, radiology reports, and more, the moment they're posted, before I have follow-up with my doc to discuss findings.

My doc loves that when I see him, I'm already aware of results and we can move forward quickly with the visit, since we're on the same page.

If you have a good relationship with your doc, I think portal reviews earn respect, too, that you're being proactive, keeping up and ready to ask relevant questions.

It's also a handy record, if I forget some results and want to review, like when did I get a certain MRI, or is it almost time for a bone density? Things like that. It's all there to help me keep up.

My PCP has a busy practice, but his staff are the best, with very prompt portal responses. Not so with some practices, so satisfaction may vary.

Re: My Chart

Mom2Dogs — Thu, 15 Dec 2022 00:24:08 GMT

My husband and I both have one...I use it only for reading test results and they also remind me of upcoming appointments. I don't ask questions, make appointments or ask for refills for drugs....I use a phone for those things.

Re: My Chart

Blueridge Liz — Thu, 15 Dec 2022 00:33:08 GMT

I've had my chart about 12 years and I love it. I especially like the charts to show past tests. I can compare recent tests with my test history.

I send messages to my doctor. I can request a change in medication. Several times my insurance company has refused to refill a prescription. She takes care of it. Last time she set me up with GoodRX. I now have the same prescription that I've had for 20 years at 1/4 the cost using insurance.

I do everything online. Makes life easier.

Re: My Chart

Mz iMac — Thu, 15 Dec 2022 00:34:07 GMT

NOPE! No personal info online for me. My doctor or one of her medical assistanse calls me on the phone w/the results of any tests if not given by the doctor personally during the ov.

I get a printout of my ov by the time I get to the front desk to check out.

I can pick up my rx right after I leave the office on the way to the pharmacy.

My insurance pays all bills.

Re: My Chart

NYCLatinaMe — Thu, 15 Dec 2022 00:53:55 GMT

Healthcare providers have been required by LAW to maintain electronic records for years. So the records already exist. Mychart is just a tool for the patient to access the records. But whether the patient access the records or not, your doctor has been maintaining them for years. I was surprised by what I saw there. My doctor had entered a diagnosis for every minor complaint I have had, even when he had not provided any treatment. So the information is entered differently than in the past, because it is standardized. But the information exists elctronically whether you access it or not.

I don't think my doctor gave an option. I was told to use it, so I did. If you choose not to access it you may miss important information. I know some older people don't know how to use i and won'tt, but the info is already there, entered by your healthcare provider.