What? I Have a Patient Portal?

I can’t say I am surprised when I continue to read that patient portal adoption rates remain sluggish. Why? Well, for one, I have been to the doctor’s office at least three times in the last 6 months and not once have I ever been told to sign up or use the patient portal.

I am not alone. The research tells us that 40% of patients don’t even know if their physician offers a patient portal.

Step One: Inform patients you have a portal. But do more than that – EDUCATE them on the FEATURES and BENEFITS of the portal, so they will want to actually sign up and use it.

Here are six strategies to improve your patient portal adoption rates:

1. Engage New Patients - Include a patient portal brochure or letter in new patient registration materials.
2. Give all patients a Portal ID Card with username and password on one side and information about the portal on the back.
3. Post office signage about the patient portal in your waiting room and exam rooms. Talk patient features & benefits.
4. Use your patient messaging system to drive patients to the portal for important patient information such as lab results.
5. Sending a bill? Customize your statement with a special message about the portal, or include a statement insert with their bill.
6. Communicate often – put a blurb in your newsletter, on your website, in your social media and in direct mailers.

There is no such thing as too much communication when it comes to talking about the patient portal.

1. patient portal