I live in a town on the outskirts of Tampa, so my PCP is not in Tampa, however, all my other doctors are in Tampa. All the big hospitals in Tampa, are teaching hospitals. The University of South Florida is one of the larger medical training facilities in the country. Due to this, and the wonderful age of the internet, all the hospitals, doctors, and most test facilities are linked into a wonderful system.
The first time you go to any of them, you are sent a link for a web page. There, you create a log in page, complete with password, just for you. From that point on, anything and everything about you medically, is there. Every doctor, and diagnosis is on the first page.
When you click the next tab, it lists all your medications, the doctor that prescribed them, what for, the dosage, and duration you are to take them, and any refills. The top half of the page is current medications. When you have completed a medication, or are no longer taking it, it moves to the bottom half of the page under past medications. IF you have an allergic reaction, or a problem with one of the medications, that too is listed. You have some control over it, so you can move a medication from the current list, into the past list, as well as the doctor. This helps ensure the doctors don't prescribe medications that work against each other, and over time, gives them a nice list of medications they can use that work well for you.
The next tab lists all tests, and the results. I get the same information the doctors do, when they order the tests, at the same time they do. When they order a CT scan, MRI, ultrasound, X-ray, or whatever, the result summary is posted, and there is a link posted under the summary, so you can see the actual CT scan (video), MRI (video), ultrasound (video), X-ray (image) or whatever. That way the doctor, and you can check the actual images.
There is a page that lists all appointments. This includes all your doctor appointments, and all testing appointments. Past appointments are at the lower portion of the page.
There is a message page. You have the option of sending an email, or a PM to your doctor. They too, have the option of sending you an email or PM through your page. Several of my doctors have used the PMs with me, regarding test results, or asking how I'm doing following a visit, how I'm tolerating a new medication, etc.
It's a wonderful system, and I really do like it. I've got several years worth of information, which makes it easier to compare test results, and monitor my cancer, without that stressful wait period to go back to the doctor to get my test results.
At the start of this, I mentioned l live in a town on the outskirts of Tampa, and my PCP is not in Tampa. He uses the local community hospital, and local testing facilities, so he is not linked into the portal system with my other doctors. HOWEVER, this system is geared for that too. On the first page of my PCP's file on me, and in his computerized file on me, is the log-in information for my account. He can log in, and see everything. In addition, there is a coordinator's office in the system. When I go to see him, his nurse sends all the pertinent information to the coordinator's office, and it's entered into my account. Everyone seems to love this system. Doctors, and patients alike. I would love to see them expand it county wide, even state wide someday.
back at cha, my friend. I'm okay. You know the old saying, that which does not kill us makes us stronger!
