topic Re: Using Patient Portals For Care Other Than Appointments in Community Chat

Using Patient Portals For Care Other Than Appointments

ECBG — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 15:52:35 GMT

How satisfied are you using patient portals for timely medical pain?

I don't mind a portal for appointments or not sensitive test results, since I can get a list of appointments there, but if the portal isn't checked, your request isn't considered.

Re: Using Patient Portals For Care Other Than Appointments

Carmie — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 16:00:24 GMT

I use the patient portal and like that way of communicating.

My PCP's office is on the ball and reads anything I post immediately.

When anyone updates anything on my portal, I get an instant e-mail. I imagine that works both ways.

The providers have no excuse not to notice a new question or concern. Labs send test results through the portals. They should be checked several times a day.

They get real time notifications whenever there is a new post.

Re: Using Patient Portals For Care Other Than Appointments

hopi — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 16:11:00 GMT

The portals ask for a 24 to 48 hour time frame. The only other alternative is to call and ask for help with the issue without the appointment and say that you sent a question but need help immediately. It is very frustrating.

Re: Using Patient Portals For Care Other Than Appointments

SaveTheTurtles — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 16:12:14 GMT

My doctor's office prefers this method of communicating and they do say that if your question or need is emergent you should call the office otherwise they respond within 48 hours. It's usually within 24 hours.

Re: Using Patient Portals For Care Other Than Appointments

beckyb1012 — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 16:20:19 GMT

It as been very very rare that I did not get an answer to my question or concern as long as even 24 hours. From my Dr. and Nurse to billing they usually answer within the hour. I love the portal for all things.

Re: Using Patient Portals For Care Other Than Appointments

bikerbabe — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 16:21:09 GMT

So much depends on the office. The portal is connected into their emailing system, and some offices are more responsive that way than trying to speak to someone on the phone. It really just depends on the provider office and who is responsible for monitoring patient communications.

If it’s more of an emergency, you should certainly call.

Re: Using Patient Portals For Care Other Than Appointments

JeanLouiseFinch — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 16:27:39 GMT

I'm old school and don't usually think about using the Patient Portal. When I have, I didn't find it particularly user friendly.

I'm currently using My Chart for my current diagnosis, appointments, tests, results, surgery date, etc. and like it much better.

Re: Using Patient Portals For Care Other Than Appointments

deepwaterdotter — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 16:30:40 GMT

Very satisfied with prompt and helpful instructions to ease symptoms and pain.

Re: Using Patient Portals For Care Other Than Appointments

beckyb1012 — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 16:45:05 GMT

@JeanLouiseFinch wrote:
I'm old school and don't usually think about using the Patient Portal. When I have, I didn't find it particularly user friendly.
I'm currently using My Chart for my current diagnosis, appointments, tests, results, surgery date, etc. and like it much better.

That is what mine is called "MyChart" it took me awhile to figure it out when they began in 2018 but I think I like it much better than the phone.

Re: Using Patient Portals For Care Other Than Appointments

cheriere — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 16:45:47 GMT

@ECBG lol, I'm sure my dr would prefer I use this but I don't. I just prefer calling requests in and or receiving an actual call back with pertinent information.

Re: Using Patient Portals For Care Other Than Appointments

chrystaltree — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 17:20:07 GMT

I love the portals and since I have a number of medical issues and see several specialists; it's a great way for me to keep track of labs imaging and to communicate with my doctors. My portal says we should not use it for healthcare emergencies and we should not expect a response for 48 hours. Most of my doctors respond within 24 hours or have nurse practitioner respond. Sometimes they respond within the portal, sometimes by phone. Of course every medical practice handles portals in their own way.

Re: Using Patient Portals For Care Other Than Appointments

songbird — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 17:33:52 GMT

I use it to get results from a medical procedure or test. I don't understand the medical terminology, but I usually call the doctor so we can discuss it. That's all I use it for. It's pretty good if you want results almost immediately such as a mammogram, etc.

Re: Using Patient Portals For Care Other Than Appointments

tends2dogs — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 17:46:03 GMT

@ECBG wrote:
How satisfied are you using patient portals for timely medical pain?

I don't mind a portal for appointments or not sensitive test results, since I can get a list of appointments there, but if the portal isn't checked, your request isn't considered.

@ECBG If the pain meds and steroids aren't helping you with your pain, I would put a call in directly to my doctor. I wouldn't wait around for a request on a patient portal. You could enter a request on the portal, but I would back it up with a phone call. Call early enough so they can get back with you and have time to call in another prescription for you.

Re: Using Patient Portals For Care Other Than Appointments

Stray — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 01:18:25 GMT

I use them occasionally but all of my doctors don’t. I get some care in NJ & some in NYC & I have my health care all linked which is helpful when I visit other health care systems & they all can access test results & notes when entered. But, as said, all of my doctors don’t use them.

I like paying bills thru the portals & my former gyn who retired responded very promptly with prescriptions when necessary.

Re: Using Patient Portals For Care Other Than Appointments

Karie2022 — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 01:21:59 GMT

I use the portal all the time, so much better than a phone call and waiting for them to return your call; plus everything is in writing.

Re: Using Patient Portals For Care Other Than Appointments

birdQ13 — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 01:27:15 GMT

So much harder to reach humans on the phone. The past 4 days I played frustrating phone tag with my Durable Medical Equipment Billing Customer Service as they work remote from home. Arrggh. We are getting better with portals, a few still email.

Re: Using Patient Portals For Care Other Than Appointments

ID2 — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 11:01:43 GMT

@JeanLouiseFinch wrote:
I'm old school and don't usually think about using the Patient Portal. When I have, I didn't find it particularly user friendly.
I'm currently using My Chart for my current diagnosis, appointments, tests, results, surgery date, etc. and like it much better.

**********
My Chart is a patient portal.

Re: Using Patient Portals For Care Other Than Appointments

JeanLouiseFinch — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 12:06:48 GMT

@ID2 wrote:
@JeanLouiseFinch wrote:
I'm old school and don't usually think about using the Patient Portal. When I have, I didn't find it particularly user friendly.
I'm currently using My Chart for my current diagnosis, appointments, tests, results, surgery date, etc. and like it much better.

**********
My Chart is a patient portal.

Yes, @ID2, I understand that. Maybe I didn't explain myself well. My local PCP's office is part of a large regional medical network and uses their own. That's the one I'm not fond of. Under the MyChart umbrella there are many sub sites for hospitals and medical groups within each state where they operate. Regarding my current diagnosis, the hospital, imaging center and lab that's connected to the hospital uses My Chart. The urology group caring for me does too. I find My Chart easier to maneuver around than the one the doctor's office belongs to.

Re: Using Patient Portals For Care Other Than Appointments

PINKdogWOOD — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 14:18:32 GMT

OUr portals are used by everyone on our staffs (his and mine), they use them and so do we. Test results are posted before our Drs weigh in so what we initially read is basic. Drs reiterate, explain etc when they read results. I'm in his chart all the time (hubby) as he has health issues, serious and many. We also can toggle between two health systems as our PCP is with one group, hubby's specialists are with another, it's very easy for us to do this. We have no complaints about our systems' portals.I can ask questions, renew scripts we need, make appointments although I call for quicker set-up and during covid we had vidoe chats with our PCP. it all works for us.

Re: Using Patient Portals For Care Other Than Appointments

Estellee — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 14:22:23 GMT

I like the portal to get test results and pay a co pay if necessary but as far as scheduling an appointment I would rather do that over the phone.