With healthcare reform, specifically HITECH and Meaningful Use, healthcare providers are now giving patients access to parts of their health record. This started for some practices in 2011 but it’s becoming commonplace in 2012. About 20% of practices are providing online access for their patients via a secure patient portal, the majority of practices are printing out clinical summaries and handing them to patients.
Navigating Cancer conducted a survey where 1,220 cancer patients responded who have been invited to a secure patient portal from their clinic to understand patient preferences and satisfaction around their new health online access.
Regarding access to their health information, 89% of patients receiving a clinic summary after each visit value this information and find it to be accurate. 87% of patients say it is helpful and informative. “Being a clinician, having access to my records and tests is very important to me. It enables me to be a partner in my care, and accurately share my information with my other healthcare providers and family.” said Susanna S.
The research also showed that patients want more than just access to their health information, but also want personalized patient education and other tools to manage their care. Over 74% surveyed said that they will most likely read information about their diagnosis on the portal and over 57% will use the calendar to keep track of appointments and other important events. The survey also found that 83% of patients are interested in tracking their symptoms and side effects to be able to communicate with a doctor. Marie C. provided the following feedback: “I can go back and track the ups and downs of my blood counts which I always get a copy of. Having them online makes this easier. Thanks.”
In 2014, not only will it be required for healthcare professionals to give patient electronic access to their health information via a portal but healthcare professionals will be required to use a certified EHR, such as Navigating Cancer’s Patient Engagement Portal, to provide specific patient education. A patient portal provides the opportunity to improve the patient education process. And the research demonstrates that of the 1,220 cancer patients who responded, 2/3 are interested in reading personalized to their disease via their portal. This provides not only the opportunity to educate patients in a better way but an opportunity to help the healthcare professional as well.
To learn more about how Navigating Cancer’s Patient Education Services, please contact Randy Colvin at randy@