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The Doctor-Patient Relationship is Moving Online

Technology Enables Doctors One More Way of Providing Healthcare

June 11, 2010

Online physician consultations, also called e-visits, are already being used to treat patients for non-emergency conditions and to answer questions about minor ailments, symptoms or medications. According to Paul Marchetti, head of Aetna National Network and Contracting Services, as many as 35% of medical cases could be treated in urgent-care centers, retail clinics or e-visits, instead of the doctor's office.

"It's emerging technology, and adoption is very slow, but I've seen promise over the last few years," he says. "Consumers have interest, and ... they are starting to request doctors get online. The patient population is pressuring providers to adopt it."

Most recently, the Department of Health and Human Services issued $220 million in grants to 15 communities around the country for creating three-year pilot programs to test the adoption of healthcare technology, including e-visits.

Many patients want digital access to their doctor, but that will depend on how the doctor will get paid for the service. Today, the bulk of the online communication between doctors and patients is done somewhat casually, and not through secure Web environments. In order to reimburse, insurers require that e-visits take place through a secure Web portal with high levels of encryption that comply with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy rules.

The ChartLogic Patient Portal includes an option for the Virtual Office Visit feature, which allows secure online communication between the patient and the doctor, the clinical staff, and even non-clinical secure communication with the billing or administrative staff. All of this online interaction information can then be stored in the Electronic Health Record (EHR).

With this growing demand and increased technology capability, the physician could handle all basic patient encounters virtually, and see only complex patient encounters in the medical office.

Read the full article:
The Doctor-Patient Relationship is Moving Online
LA Times

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About ChartLogic, Inc.

Electronic Health Records...Better Patient Care since 1994. ChartLogic has helped thousands of practices make the transition from paper to digital medical offices. Guaranteed to meet "meaningful use" requirements, ChartLogic offers two comprehensive electronic health record suites that include electronic medical records, superior medical billing software, document management, and interactive patient education. ChartLogic helps physicians provide better patient care through better technology. For further information, visit www.chartlogic.com.

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