By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    stress management for healthcare workers
    3 Tips For Healthcare Professionals: How To Stay Beautiful, Healthy, and Happy
    November 2, 2021
    importance of relaxing on the weekend for your health
    Importance of Relaxing During the Weekend for Optimal Health
    March 25, 2022
    LASIK Eye Surgery
    What Is LASIK Eye Surgery?
    May 16, 2022
    Latest News
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    The PCMH and Home Care Data: An Interview with Melissa McCormack
    December 19, 2013
    IT Strategy for Health Plans: Interview with ikaSystems CEO Joe Marabito
    August 11, 2014
    A New Kind of Stress Test
    May 26, 2015
    Latest News
    Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
    July 6, 2025
    Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
    June 25, 2025
    When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
    June 20, 2025
    Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
    June 15, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Patient Portals. PHRs, & On-line Decision-Support Tools Alone Will Not Lead To Greater Patient Engagement
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > eHealth > Patient Portals. PHRs, & On-line Decision-Support Tools Alone Will Not Lead To Greater Patient Engagement
eHealth

Patient Portals. PHRs, & On-line Decision-Support Tools Alone Will Not Lead To Greater Patient Engagement

Steve Wilkins
Steve Wilkins
Share
4 Min Read
SHARE

Patient engagement is getting a lot of attention these days, particularly in the health information technology press.   Anticipation of Stage 2 Meaningful Use criteria is certainly driving much of the “talk.”  So too are the promises of improved patient outcomes and satisfaction associated with the adoption of patient engagement tools like EMRs, PHRs, web portals, and on-line decision support tools.

Patient engagement is getting a lot of attention these days, particularly in the health information technology press.   Anticipation of Stage 2 Meaningful Use criteria is certainly driving much of the “talk.”  So too are the promises of improved patient outcomes and satisfaction associated with the adoption of patient engagement tools like EMRs, PHRs, web portals, and on-line decision support tools.

But if the mere availability of such health information technology was all there was to engagement…member use of health plan web portals, which have been around for years, would be a lot higher than they are now, e..g., often < 10% of members.

Patient Engagement Begins With The Patient-Physician Relationship, Not Technology

More Read

The Digital Health Revolution
Google Glass in Surgery: Hangout on Air
Beyond the Buzz: Doctors Who Blog – An Interview with Dr. Brian Stork
What Healthcare Professionals can Learn from Sales People
EMR Incentives Derailed?

If you were to take everything you read at face value, all physicians and hospitals would need to engage patients is a patient or member web-based portal.  I guess the idea is if you build it…they will come. But there is a HUGE FATAL FLAW in that logic:

 Successful patient engagement is predicated upon the existence of a strong, trusting, mutually satisfying relationship between the patient and their physician.

Strong, trusting physician-patient relationships are becoming harder and harder to develop and maintain these days…for both patients and providers.   Poor physician communication skills, e.g., physician-directed communications, have been cited in the literature over last 30 years as a major barrier to more satisfying and productive physician-patient relationships. Poor communication also tops the list of patient complaints about their doctors.  Not surprisingly,  many patients find it easier to “get by” in an OK relationship with a primary care provider than seek a provider with a more engaging demeanor.

The Link Between Patient Use Of Engagement Tools And The Physician-Patient Relationship
So What Does A Strong, “Engaging” Physician-Patient Relationship Look Like?

Here’s my short list;

  • Patients and providers like, respect, and trust each other
  • Patients and providers are interested in and take the time to listen to where each other is coming from, e.g., their beliefs, concerns, etc.
  • There is a high degree of agreement between patients and providers as to the visit agenda, diagnosis, treatment, and self-care options.
  • Providers’ employ patient-centered communication skills

Imagine yourself in a relationship with a provider who simply doesn’t seem to dedicate much time or place much importance on the above traits. How likely would you be to spend your valuable time-sharing personal health information with someone who never exhibited any interest when you attempted to share the same information in the past?

The Take Away

Don’t get so wrapped up in the promise of the latest health information technologies that you lose sight of what’s really important to patient engagement, outcomes and patient/provider satisfaction – the physician-patient relationship

That’s what I think…what’s your opinion?

TAGGED:doctor/patient relationship
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

9 Lifestyle Tweaks That Can Add Years to Your Life
9 Healthcare Lifestyle Tweaks That can Add Years to Your Life
lifestyle
July 11, 2025
car accident lawsuit
Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
Policy & Law
July 6, 2025
women dental care
What Is a Smile Makeover and How Much Does It Cost?
Dental health
June 30, 2025
HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps
Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
Global Healthcare Policy & Law Technology
June 25, 2025

You Might also Like

patient documentation
Hospital AdministrationMedical RecordsTechnology

How to Train Your Dragon: Patient Documentation in the 21st Century

June 5, 2014
Image
eHealthTechnology

High Quality, Low Cost HealthCare Video Interview Series: Dr David Delaney From SAP Talks Data

January 29, 2013

Telemedicine Provides Cost Benefit to Monitoring Newborns

February 23, 2013

Microsoft Tags (Barcodes) Used with LifeSaver Mobile Application-Paramedics Scan a Printed Card to Access Your Records

August 11, 2011
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?