Patient Portal
A patient portal is a secure online platform that provides patients with 24/7 access to their personal health information and enables communication with healthcare providers. It typically allows patients to view medical records, schedule appointments, request prescription refills, and exchange messages with their care team. These portals are often integrated with electronic health record (EHR) systems to ensure data accuracy and streamline clinical workflows.
Developers should learn about patient portals when building healthcare applications, as they are essential for modern patient engagement and compliance with regulations like HIPAA. They are used in telehealth platforms, hospital systems, and private practices to improve patient outcomes by facilitating secure data access and communication. Knowledge is crucial for roles involving health tech, EHR integration, or developing patient-facing features in medical software.