What is a patient portal?

A patient portal is a secure online application that allows patients to access their personal medical information, communicate with healthcare providers, and other health-related features. It is a platform that enables patients to actively participate in their care process, manage their health information and communicate with healthcare providers in an easy and efficient way.

Some features and functions of a patient portal may include:

1. Electronic access to medical records: Patients can view their medical records, such as lab results, medication summaries, immunization history, appointments, radiology reports, and other relevant information recorded in the Electronic Health Record (EHR).

2. Online appointments and appointment management: Patients can schedule, reschedule or cancel appointments using the portal. They can also receive reminders for upcoming appointments and view important information such as location and times.

3. Communication with healthcare providers: Patients can communicate with their healthcare providers through the portal, such as asking questions, requesting drug renewals, receiving follow-up instructions, sharing information, and receiving messages from their healthcare team.

4. Educational Resources and Health Information: The portal may provide access to trusted educational resources, health information, brochures, self-care instructions, and other materials relevant to the patient's health status.

5. Medication management: Patients can view their medication overviews, including prescribed medications, dosages and instructions. They can also receive reminders for taking medication.

6. Personal health goals and tracking: The portal can enable patients to set their personal health goals, track health measurements (e.g. weight, blood pressure, blood sugar) and view graphs or trends of these measurements.

The use of a patient portal promotes patient involvement in their own care, improves access to information, facilitates communication with healthcare providers and can improve the efficiency of the care process. It empowers patients to make more informed decisions about their health and improve their healthcare experience.