“As we begin this heath care–sharing process, it’s really important to have patients in a position where they’re more educated about the process that’s going on with them,” Dr. Hatcher said in an interview. “The more you educate your patients, the more it helps them embrace what you’re trying to do. It’ll be hard to meet the upcoming meaningful use measures if you don’t have patients engaged in their health care plan.”
Health providers interested in creating a similar patient portal should review what other health systems have done in the past and build on their ideas, Dr. Hatcher added.
“You’ve got to have the enthusiasm of your medical staff,” he said. “You’ve got to have the support of your organization, and you have to have a vision. Know what you want before you start. If you do that, then you’re well on your way.”
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