@joaf37, @roch, @ suninmn, and others... The Mayo portal is by far the best site I've used. It is frequently updated and usually improved. Since first using the portal, I found it friendly, reasonable, logical and extremely helpful communicating with my physician team. I also love the fact the medical systems are able to read reports, labs, testing, notes and see what's most current across the board. I'm finding my physicians from other than Mayo are getting used to the system and their medical communities are catching up with the Mayo quality.

I do not however find the site at all helpful making appointments. It is frustrating, time consuming, and ineffective! I tried many times to make appointments using the portal but am never successful so end up calling the department for scheduling. They are efficient and courteous, find the doctors notes and move forward. I do wish the portal could address this area more efficiently.

I also must apologize for occasionally sending long messages, when I am upset or actually have information they need. I should call in those cases, but still think it better to use the portal and not bother the office. Suggest the best option is to wait a moment and send a shorter message. It can be helpful getting statistics to the office, i.e. blood pressure readings and such when we are working on stablizing medications.

I also have an issue with the medications listing in the computer which I frequently update prior to an appointment. The computer, in my case, still has listed medications I've not taken since 2012! This becomes a serious issue when hospitalized and the medications are not up to date. It also takes a very long time to get the current meds on board which can cause patients serious issues. I now take 3 days of my own medications in the daily bins and have them on hand if the hospital isn't able to get them to me when needed. It would be helpful if the portal would keep a true medication update available that doesn't magically change meds or dosages confusing staff and patient.

Hopefully my ranting helps some others as we take this journey. I am extremely thankful for the Mayo Portal and Mayo excellence!
Blessings, Elizabeth

Thanks for the fast response. Many of your comments hit upon another factor. These portals are not the same. For example, many things you note as not having to be repeated; I do need to repeat every time an appointment is required in a couple of the portals I need to use. One I access uses the medical terms only for the Rx being taken raising the question" "what's that"; another one has both the brand name and the other. I am currently in this process now per who has access to my medical records and what do I need to provide in making an appointment for medical care I have not needed previously.