Community Chat

[NYCLatinaMe]

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@Sage04 wrote:

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@NYCLatinaMeand @JaneMarple  I usually wonder how that works. I'm with Kaiser Permanente and all my doctors are in that Network.

If someone sees a doctor who is not in the Network would he know that the patient has a Portal?

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Yes, they know everyone has electronic records because everyone should, the law requires it.  The purpose of this is to facilitate changing doctors, and to ensure all doctors have relevant information.  But I don't think all doctors have access to all portals.  I think maybe different practices have different portals.  My guess is that the information is transferable if necessary, that the systems are compatible.  I am guessing here.  This is not something I am concerned about.  You can ask your doctor on your next appointment.  I intend to leave it at whatever they ask.  But like I said, my doctor switched to electronic records years ago.  I know because he sits in front of the computer and makes entries when I answer his questions.  He was not happy when the transition occurred, unhappy still.  He is not good with computer, in his 70s, I think.  I was given access late last year, when I made an appointment to see him.  As I said previously, it was characterized as electronic check-in.  They took my picture when I came in.  No time in the waiting room filling out paperwork during covid times.  The patient portal that he uses is for doctors affiliated with Weill Cornell Medicine, ColumbiaDoctors, and NewYork-Presbyterian.  Specialists I have gone to in other practice groups use MyChart.  Same thing, electronic check-in.  Later received test results and bills.  I wait for the paper bills to pay.  I am old fashioned too.  But if they are telling me to do electronic check-in, never occurred to me to say no.
 

[phoenixbrd]

I want to thank each of you for answering my question and sharing your experiences.  I appreciate your insights.  A few shared my concerns, but most expressed your satisfaction with using a medical portal system.  I respect everyone's opinion and thank you for helping me clarify what is appropriate for us.

[bikerbabe]

FYI,

There isn’t one uniform electronic system that all doctors and hospitals use so, no, the information is not accessible to any doctor anywhere. But, nearly every hospital, clinic or provider uses some form of electronic record keeping. Not every health care system has a patient PORTAL for you to access but it is gradually becoming a standard. Some offices are encouraging patients to use it more than others. I view it as an extra tool; especially for access to lab and diagnostic results and submitting for refills. Many offices are quicker to respond to electronic submissions than phone calls.

[CalminHeart]

My doctor belongs to a group and I use their portal instead of My Chart.  

My Chart seems to be used by a lot of groups all over the country. I don't want to open that can of worms. 

[Scooby Doo]

I think the medical providers are required to put your info into the system and it's up to you whether you want to use it.  Personally I find it quite helpful.  If I need a rx refill I just request it through the system.  If I have a question I can ask it and get a reply through the chart.  It's a time saver for both me and the doctor's office.  And it has two layers of security so I'm not concerned about anyone else getting my info.

[Sage04]

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@bikerbabe wrote:

FYI,

There isn’t one uniform electronic system that all doctors and hospitals use so, no, the information is not accessible to any doctor anywhere. But, nearly every hospital, clinic or provider uses some form of electronic record keeping. Not every health care system has a patient PORTAL for you to access but it is gradually becoming a standard. Some offices are encouraging patients to use it more than others. I view it as an extra tool; especially for access to lab and diagnostic results and submitting for refills. Many offices are quicker to respond to electronic submissions than phone calls.

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Thanks @bikerbabe  for making things clear for me. I wondered if every doctor had access to the Portal.

I really like it because I don't have to wait four or five days to get a call about my results especially if there is a weekend involved. Also sometimes with a phone call you might have to ask them to repeat it where as it's right there in black and white.

[Sage04]

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@Scooby Doo wrote:

I think the medical providers are required to put your info into the system and it's up to you whether you want to use it.  Personally I find it quite helpful.  If I need a rx refill I just request it through the system.  If I have a question I can ask it and get a reply through the chart.  It's a time saver for both me and the doctor's office.  And it has two layers of security so I'm not concerned about anyone else getting my info.

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@Scooby Doo  I remember having to wait 24 hours for a refill because the Dr is busy. Now with the Portal, it notifies the Dr and within a half hour I get a text saying that my order is ready to be picked up. It doesn't get better than that.

[shoekitty]

I am pretty private person with much of my life.  I don't do Facebook, twitter and not one social media except here. I don't know why. Nothing against anyone else doing it. Just me.   But I do like My care/my chart. It has been a life saver. I have had a rough medical history last 2 years and have been hospitalized a few times. The my chart has been so valuable. The hospital and other doctors read notes, my medspasr

t blood work. I get blood work results often before doctor sees them,  My allergies to meds which are extensive I want any urgent care, hospital or  specialist to know. When you are hospitalized they use your med list and you continue with same meds, dose etc providing it meshes with currant diagnosis.   My allergies to antibiotics are so vast I am glad they have access to all of it.  The notes doctors leave are pretty clinical observations. Nothing nasty, although they might think it,lol,  I also like communicating with my doctor for small issues, requesting refills, or a change in meds.   You can't really call doctors anymore. It is hard to get through. Easier to make or cancel appt online. I like it. Easier since Covid. 

[shoekitty]

@bikerbabe  Here in California doctors, or medical facilities with different portals can get into anyone they may need.    Our local hospital is not affiliated with My Chart, either are two of drs with Sutter . But the doctors can get into my medical thru my chart portal. They did not too long ago,  when my internist wanted test results from an out of network medical portal. 

[willdob3]

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@phoenixbrd wrote:

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.

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@phoenixbrd 

Whether one uses it or not, all of our medical data is digitalized. Convenient. Increasingly scary when one thinks about the times we live in. Not using it won't keep us or our info safer.

Some people are comfortable using online options, others aren't. Right now, it is still an option not to use things like this. Huge numbers of people do not even own computers or smartphones. No one even needs to tell their doctors if they have internet access or not. But I can't promise the same will be true in a year.