Patient Portals

regarding their health status. Many of these resources offer convenience in that they are available to patients on a 24/7 basis. The objective is to engage the level of communications between the patient and medical staff. Through various case studies and research, it has been shown that many patients often feel overwhelmed with the access to their personal medical records. Other barriers to this advance in technology include patient safety concerns, and a general lack of understanding of the information that is presented to the patient. This paper will take a deeper look into patient portals and mobile health applications, and how their structure and capabilities affect patients within the community.

There is a growing interest in electronic

They can improve communication between the patient-provider relationships; as well as enable patients to view test results, refill prescriptions, schedule/manage appointments, and grant access to a general overview of their current medical record. Patient portals are intended to engage patients by giving them access to their own medical information. One example of a patient portal that is commonly used is MyChart, powered by Epic Systems. Patients are given access to their chair via an activation code during a clinical visit. From that point on the patient is able to create their own user name and password, allowing 24-hour access to their medical records. MyChart uses the latest 128-bit SSL encryption technology to enhance safety and privacy while retrieving records. This secure online network aims to engage patients in their care, but often leaves them confused and unsure of the next step in their treatment. The portal may be difficult to navigate, and patients may struggle to understand their medical information (Baldwin, 2016). Baldwin continues to mention that when patients view their test results, the need to know the underlying purpose of the test. Often times, patients struggle to understand medical terminology, posing a barrier