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The Patient Portal—Help or Hindrance?
We’ve always talked about quick access to all the information we want, when we want it. Gone are the days of ‘snail’ mail and encyclopedias. Now we have Patient Portals! And they are here to stay!
In 2016 the Cures Act went into effect, but the part that pertained to access to patient records wasn’t effective until April 2021. The Dept of Health and Human Services began enforcing the rule which declared that a hospital or doctor must allow access to a person’s health information. Failure to do so could result in fines for the doctor and hospital. Thus, the Patient Portal.
The result is that as soon as you have lab work, x-rays, CT scans, or a diagnostic test, YOU will receive the information (often before the doctor does.). This has led to much confusion and fright for many patients. A test result, read by a patient, out of context, or without a doctor’s explanation, can lead to confusion and anxiety and un-necessary emotional harm. I know this personally, when I received the results of my MRI well before my doctor. Seeing a report that stated “new lesions in areas of the brain,” really freaked me out!
In today’s world of instant gratification with computers, the emotional cost of instant access can be high.
- How have you been able to handle reports on the Patient Portal? What suggestions do you have for other members?
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I am dealing with 5 of them. I have some basic issues with portals in part from having been in the IT business some time ago. In my current business role I need to access numbers of web sites daily. My issues are the same with web sites and medical portals. Every one thinks theirs is crystal clear. Few are. I find the medical portals overly complex even to just access them and to try to find the basic needs. Readers here may all know that there are some "software providers" that many medical faculties use. I unfortunately discovered that two medical clinics that subscribed to portal software from the same vendor were also sharing information about my medical results. The two clinics had no connection with each other at all. Another issue is your medical history and Rx you are taking or have been. They often only use the literal medical Rx names; so, I too often don't know what they are referencing or they are overly complex when you recognize them and need to change them. Just some thoughts here.
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2 ReactionsI have looked up the myths you asked and don't think that big pharm has not had something to do with this. They are in business of wellness AND to make money. I stand on my previous decisions.
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2 ReactionsI love the Patient Portal. I find it helpful, but yes, it can be a little stressful when something is there that may be serious. My dictors will call and I always have an appointment within days.
There is one thing I noticed. The Radiologist or lab posts immediately once reports are read. However, when my PCP has ordered a test as of late, he has the results sent to him and then he posts them with an explanation.
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6 ReactionsI have had 5 COVID shots. Mt doctor said no more are needed. He said I will be fine if I get COVID (I have never had it).
I trust my doctor here.
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1 ReactionAmen. It is important to look to highly respected medical and scientific institutions for information on vaccines and other health issues. A pharmacist is not a vaccine researcher, not even a medical doctor. It is very unprofessional for a pharmacist (a person with a few years of college and nothing more) to make such comments.
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2 ReactionsDid your pharmacist tell you where he got this information?
The new vaccine is the "next generation" of several previous versions, similar to the way the flu shot changes each year to cover newer strains of the virus. There are no statistics available yet about it because it is just being distributed.
Please read this from the Sloane-Kettering Institute:
https://www.mskcc.org/coronavirus/myths-about-covid-19-vaccines
As for heart risks, there are a VERY small number who develop myocarditis after a Covid vaccine - about 4 events per million injections (primarily in males age 17-30.) By comparison risk of heart problems after being hospitalized for Covid is 6 per 100 cases.
The older you are, the more likely Covid is to be severe enough to send you to the hospital because your immune system is not as strong as a younger person. If you have any or all of the common issues of the older body - high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, lung conditions, you are at even higher risk of getting a severe infection if you get Covid.
It makes me sad to see medical professionals we trust spreading information that is inaccurate or misleading.
Please consider consulting your physician about getting vaccines. They can make the best recommendations based on your health.
Sue
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10 ReactionsThese new strains of Covid and the vaccines are a delima. I spoke with our pharmasist this morning and he told us that the new vaccine can cause problem with the heart and can provoke any cancer that may be in your system. We have decided NOT to do this...our choice as it is yours. Please talk to people and get as many opinions as you can before you decide. This is a Physer (sp?) product and is VERY new.
He also said that if you do get Covid it is normally and likely to be mild...again, to each our own decisions. Good Luck all.
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1 ReactionIn todays world, having the portal is important. Saw what one doctor wrote which was totally incorrect! His 6 min speech that it was my meds giving me pain was a laugh. It turned out my attorney got involved and this doctor, which I waited 6 months to see, found out quickly how incompetent he was.
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1 ReactionYou can contact your primary physician on the portal through messages. Otherwise, I think you need to call the clinic to contact other members of your care team.
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1 ReactionHi @buckwild, I'd like to add my welcome. I think you're wise to get tips on using the Mayo Clinic portal from fellow members here. @johnbishop has given a few tips that may help.
You may also be interested in this related discussion specifically about the Mayo Clinic patient portal:
- Mayo Clinic Patient Portal: How do I find it? Do you use it?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-portal/
If you'd like to contact someone for support in using Mayo's portal, you can click "Get Help" in Support on the portal. Here's the link to call or submit an online request:
“Get Help” https://onlineservices.mayoclinic.org/patientportal/content/get-help
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