Patient portals enable patients to take a more proactive stance in their health care and serve as an effective means of communication between the provider and the patient. Patient portals were included as part of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Meaningful Use initiative.
Portals are secure websites that are accessible to the patient 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. In addition to being able to view test results, immunizations, reports of medical visits, and other health data, patients can use a portal also to request medication refills, ask questions, schedule appointments, and view educational materials. The use of patient portals is sure to expand in the future as patients assume more responsibility for their health.
Patients are able to use the emerging technology of the patient portal to engage in and assume more responsibility for their health care. Although there is no universal definition of a personal health record (PHR), the patient portal is a valuable tool from which the patient can obtain information on their treatment and care and can manage who has access to this information. Although some patients choose to use the provider portal as their PHR, it should not be confused with the electronic health record (EHR), which is held and maintained by the provider. Patients do have the option to establish a PHR on their own that helps them personally track their health and wellness and better communicate with health care providers.