The patient portal market is poised to skyrocket, according to new analysis released in September. The U.S. Patient Portal Market for Hospitals and Physicians: Overview and Outlook, 2012–2017 report by Frost and Sullivan cites a predicted 221 percent growth in the market to nearly $900 million by 2017. The report also found that half of U.S. hospitals and 40 percent of office-based physicians have a portal through their electronic health record (EHR) or practice management system. But many are not using that technology for various reasons, such as cost, interoperability or workflow issues and limited functionality, so they are seeking alternative options.
Patient portals are Web-based applications that enable direct communication between patients and their health care providers. Stage 2 of Meaningful Use requires “patients to electronically view download and transmit electronic copies of their own medical records.” To meet Meaningful Use objectives, providers are not only required to implement a patient portal, they have to meet certain thresholds for patient utilization of the portal.
Not only are the Meaningful Use objectives driving patient portal adoption, patients are starting to demand this technology. People are busy and they want convenient online access to their records and health information – when they need it, not when the physician’s office is open. And they feel more loyalty towards providers who offer this convenience and technology. In fact, a recent study of U.S. adults found that 79 percent of patients would be more likely to return to a facility that offers a portal.
As the leading provider in online access to health records, ViewMyHealthRecords.com offers the latest technology to ensure patients have access to their health records. Thousands of healthcare professionals trust ViewMyHealthRecords.com to provide their patient access to their health records 24/7. All health data viewed online is protected by 256-bit SSL encryption to ensure privacy and maximize security.
To learn how you can access your health records online have your healthcare provider contact ViewMyHealthRecords.com.