The Effectiveness Of Patient Portals In Improving Access To Personal Medical Records

Abstract

Involving patients in the provision of healthcare has the capacity to enhance health results and increase patient contentment. Patient portals may promote patient involvement by allowing patients to access their electronic medical records (EMRs) and permitting secure communication between patients and healthcare providers. The objective of this study was to analyze existing literature that discusses patient portals connected to an electronic medical record (EMR) in hospital settings. The study aimed to examine the role of these portals in promoting patient engagement and their influence on healthcare delivery. The purpose was to identify key factors and recommended strategies for effectively implementing this technology, as well as areas that necessitate additional research. A comprehensive search for papers was performed in the PubMed, CINAHL, and Embase databases using relevant keywords related to patient engagement, electronic health records, and patient portals, along with their corresponding topic headings in each database. Specifically, some patients expressed a desire for unrestricted access to their electronic medical records (EMRs), personalized health education, and nonclinical information. Additionally, patients showed a strong interest in using portals as a means of communication with their healthcare teams. Within the outputs category, several studies discovered that patient portals enhanced patient engagement to varying degrees. Patients reported certain portal functions as insufficient while finding others to be beneficial. Both patients and staff believed that portals had the potential to enhance patient care, although they acknowledged that some patients might experience anxiety as a result. Furthermore, patient portals were found to improve patient safety, medication adherence, and communication between patients and healthcare providers. However, their impact on objective health outcomes was found to be negligible. Although the data is presently limited, patient portals have shown advantages by facilitating the identification of medical mistakes, enhancing medication adherence, and increasing communication between patients and healthcare providers, among other benefits. Comprehensive research is required to have a complete understanding, enhance, and assess their influence.