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The Patient Portal—Help or Hindrance?
Just Want to Talk | Last Active: 21 hours ago | Replies (258)Comment receiving replies
I started using patient portal five years ago when I was diagnosed with cancer, it was a little scary at first being something so new to me but then being a cancer patient and dealing with a pandemic at the same time was very overwhelming. It took some time to learn how this worked but eventually I started getting better at using it, I must admit that it was daunting to read everything about my health and treatments especially the test results, of course it took me some time to figure out all the medical jargon and put it into perspective. I’m glad I decided to try it because I always had a hard time waiting for the results and the doctor didn’t contact me very fast due to so much confusion going on back then with the pandemic. I believe it’s helpful but definitely not for everyone and I’m glad that we have more options today to look after our health.
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I always tell friends and family to read their files on the patient portal!!! There are often inaccuracies that need to be addressed.
Example: I recently went to local Urgent Care/Emergency Dept because I had a sore throat and deep cough which is dangerous for me given my lung issues. I needed to eliminate causes such flu, Covid, RSVP, Strep etc.
I read their Notes when I got home and was shocked to read that they reported that they had done a physical exam of my lungs, heart, abdomen etc. and all was normal. The notes said they had checked my right and left legs for Edema - I was wearing winter boots all the time!!!
In fact the Dr only looked at my throat!!!
And the summary written about my condition by a "Scribe" just pulled up a bunch of terms from my medical records but leaving out my most critical issues like lung cancer and pulmonary hypertension which is not the same as hypertension!
I obviously called them on it and now have to submit paperwork to change.
Realize that when incorrect health info is entered into your file it continues and is picked up by the next provider. If a provider is making decisions on how to treat you based on incorrect information that could be a problem!
Technology has given medicine a wonderful ability, but it takes time for people to adjust to inputting information, and the right kinds of programs to be developed to provide a clear concise patient profile.
I can't imagine what was going on before computers and Doctor Notes were available!!!!