A patient portal platform is a valuable tool that can improve patient engagement levels. Many hospitals have implemented the Patient Portal EMR Software to give convenience to patients by empowering them to access health data. Through the patient portal solution, patients can view lab results, update health data, view discharge summaries, and even schedule appointments.
How can patient portals help patients throughout their care journey?
Patient portal software not only allows patients to view their demographic and medical history data but also offers the following functionalities to keep patients engaged and satisfied.
- Patients can message their clinician on a HIPAA-Compliant two-way messaging platform.
- Easy online appointment scheduling.
- Fill out pre-intake forms.
- Online bill payment facility.
- Prescription refill requests.
- Real-time lab reports update.
- Data update capabilities.
- Educational material.
- Review immunization history.
- Secure video visits to receive care remotely.
Patient portals as drivers of patient loyalty
Patient portal software can boost patient loyalty as they facilitate strong bonds between patients and providers. The powerful patient engagement tool helps to build patient loyalty as patients feel valued by the physician.
Patient portals don’t act as a one-time communication tool but help to maintain continued relationships with providers. For example, patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes and blood pressure need to stay in contact with their provider outside of the hospital, and the patient portal platform builds a seamless communication bridge between the patient and the healthcare provider.
A recent study by Kaiser Permanente of Southern California (KPSC) reveals that online patient engagement through patient portals can improve chronic disease management by nearly 10 percent, depending upon the patient’s condition.
Through regular communication, providers can know the real-time health status of their patients and intervene before a medical emergency, improving health outcome levels.
How to encourage patients to use the patient portal platform?
Health systems, hospitals, and medical groups should use the following strategies to encourage patients to use the patient portal EMR software.
- Have the necessary information about the patient portal on the hospital’s official website.
- Positive provider testimony can have a positive impact on patients utilizing the platform.
- Put flyers in the waiting room and exam rooms outlining the benefits of the patient portal software.
- Patient portal campaigns can be implemented by hospitals with nurses as super users.
Understanding the patient portal market
Providers need to understand which patient populations are and are not likely to use the patient portal platform. Once patients with lower adaptation rates are identified, healthcare providers can target engagement strategies to encourage patients to utilize the robust platform to maximize patient satisfaction scores.
