patient portal marketing

How do you market a patient portal?

Seven tips on how to promote your patient portal Add a tag line to appointment cards, statements, newsletters, and other communication. An example: “Tired of playing phone tag? Sign up for the patient portal.” Change your practice's on-hold messaging to include information introducing the patient portal.

What is the purpose of a patient portal?

A patient portal is a secure online website that gives patients convenient, 24-hour access to personal health information from anywhere with an Internet connection. Using a secure username and password, patients can view health information such as: Recent doctor visits. Discharge summaries.

What is the most popular patient portal?

Top 10 Patient Portal Software By EMRSystemsEpic EHR Software's MyChart.athenahealth EMR Software's athenaCommunicator.PrognoCIS EMR Software.Cerner Specialty Practice Management Software.eClinicalWorks EMR Software's Patient Portal and Healow App.Greenway PrimeSUITE EHR Software.NextGen Healthcare EHR Software.More items...•

What are the different types of patient portals?

There are two main types of patient portals: a standalone system and an integrated service. Integrated patient portal software functionality usually comes as a part of an EMR system, an EHR system or practice management software. But at their most basic, they're simply web-based tools.

How effective are patient portals?

Patient portal interventions were overall effective in improving a few psychological outcomes, medication adherence, and preventive service use. There was insufficient evidence to support the use of patient portals to improve clinical outcomes.

How the patient portal is empowering?

July 18, 2017 - Patients enjoy having patient portal health data access because it allows them to take ownership of their own care, makes them feel empowered as partners in their treatments, and helps them detect and identify errors their providers may have made in their medical records, according to a recent study.

How common are patient portals?

Nearly 40 percent of individuals nationwide accessed a patient portal in 2020 – this represents a 13 percentage point increase since 2014.

What is the difference between EHR and EMR?

Although some clinicians use the terms EHR and EMR interchangeably, the benefits they offer vary greatly. An EMR (electronic medical record) is a digital version of a chart with patient information stored in a computer and an EHR (electronic health record) is a digital record of health information.

When did patient portals start?

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the earliest adopters of patient portals began offering electronic tools for patient-centered communication, often “tethered” to their integrated electronic health record system.

What are the disadvantages of patient portals?

Even though they should improve communication, there are also disadvantages to patient portals....Table of ContentsGetting Patients to Opt-In.Security Concerns.User Confusion.Alienation and Health Disparities.Extra Work for the Provider.Conclusion.

Why do patients not use patient portals?

The researchers found no demographic differences among nonusers who said that a technology hurdle, lack of internet access or no online medical record was the reason why they did not make use of a patient portal.

How do I make patient portal user friendly?

Recognize the importance of the patient as a key member of the care team, not just a recipient of information. Offer forms and workflows that are easy to use and to customize. Ensure that the portal is affordable for providers. Make sure that the patient data is portable so that providers can share it with other ...

Start with Email

The first step to incorporate your patient portal into your healthcare digital marketing is to capture email addresses from every patient in your practice. Email addresses are commonly used for patient logins on portals and they provide you with a direct online connection to your patients.

Create an Autoresponder Series to Explain Your Patient Portal

Some of the reasons most commonly cited for low patient adoption of healthcare portals include:

Give Your Portal a Prominent Place on Your Website

You want patients to use the patient portal, and that means you’ve got to eliminate as many barriers as possible. One simple way to do that is to add a high-profile link to your portal on the homepage of your practice’s website.

Use Social Media to Educate Your Followers About the Portal

Many practices have active followings on social media. If your practice has a Facebook page or Twitter, then you can use those platforms to let your existing followers know about your new patient portal.

Promote Your Patient Portal in Digital Ads to Attract New Patients

Finally, you can use your patient portal as a way of attracting new patients. Many young people, in particular, expect online access to information. Marketing to them can help you grow your practice.

Improving Care with Patient Portals

Patients can sometimes feel overwhelmed during a doctor’s appointment, whether due to unexpected news or complex medical terminology. Fortunately, patient portals allow providers to share clinical summaries after a screening or check-up, so patients can then easily reference their medical history or lab results on their own time.

Understanding Low Portal Adoption Rates

As helpful as this technology can be, it still isn’t being used to its full potential. At two-thirds of hospitals, less than a quarter of patients have activated their portal. Despite our constantly-connected world, many patients still don't use or see the value in the patient portal.

Improving the Use of Patient Portals

Nearly all healthcare facilities have a portal system in place, and many practitioners are trying to encourage their patients to use the technology. It’s important for healthcare providers to understand their patients’ barriers to adoption and how to best address and counter them.

What is patient satisfaction?

A study by the American Health Information Management Association ( AHIMA) found that patients responded well to the access given by portals. Whether they were viewing their records/making appointments while traveling, seeing multiple providers or relaxing at home, 38% said that they were satisfied, while 53% stated they were very satisfied.

Do patients have to trust their doctors?

Patients have to trust their doctors in order to have a good relationship. If patients will try a new diet, start a prescription regimen and drop an unhealthy habit based on their doctor’s recommendation, they’ll certainly be willing to give your portal a shot, if suggested.

Can a patient portal be used as a substitute for a doctor's visit?

Patient portals can do just about anything, but they can’t substitute an actual doctor’s visit. Most patients will make an office visit at least once a year, so catch their eyes where you know they’ll be looking.