title: PAMFOnline: integrating EHealth with an electronic medical record system.
abstract: The Institute of Medicine stressed the need for continuous healing relationships, yet the delivery of health care has traditionally been confined to the physician office or hospital. We implemented an eHealth application tightly integrated with our electronic medical record system that provides patients with a convenient, continuously available communication channel to their physician's office. Patients can view summary data from their medical record, including the results of diagnostic tests, and request medical advice, prescription renewals, appointments, or updates to their demographic information. We have found that patients embrace this new communication channel and are using the service appropriately. Patients especially value electronic messaging with their physicians and timely access to their test results. While initially concerned about an increase in work, physicians have found that use of electronic messaging can be an efficient method for handling non-urgent communication with their patients. Online tools for patients, when integrated with an electronic medical record, can provide patients with better access to health information, improve patient satisfaction, and improve operational efficiency.
authors.affiliation: Palo Alto Medical Foundation, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Paul C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Black
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Buchanan
authors.forename: Charles Y
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hooper
authors.forename: Steven R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Lane
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Love
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Jenifer R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Turnbull
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D003142:Communication; D034742:Electronic Mail; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized; D008875:Middle Aged; D009862:Online Systems; D010346:Patient Care Management; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D018511:Systems Integration; D017216:Telemedicine