Patient portals can have a profound impact on patient engagement and patient outcomes. According to one study by the Journal of Medical Internet Research, patient portals have the potential to enhance the doctor-patient relationship, improve health status awareness, and increase adherence to treatment plans.
Patient portals are becoming more commonplace in every medical field, but their features and capabilities vary. A Medical Group Management Association poll of healthcare professionals found that 90% of respondents said that their organization offers a patient portal.
It’s clear that patient portals provide advantages to both patients and providers, but change can be daunting. Below, we’ll address some advantages and disadvantages of patient portals, and ways your practice can address problems before they appear.