Patient portal

• Efficacy and safety of stereotactic body radiation therapy in elderly patients with cirrhosis and large advanced hepatocellular carcinoma
• Unintended Consequences of Patient Portal Access
• A patient-centered view of symptoms, functional impact, and priorities in post-COVID-19 syndrome: cross-sectional results from the Quebec Action Post-COVID cohort
• Implementation of Integrated Patient-Reported outcome collection in outpatient cranial neurosurgical Practice: Results of qualitative interviews
• Segmental MRI pituitary and hypothalamus volumes post Fontan: An analysis of the Australian and New Zealand Fontan registry
• Implementation of Electronic Medical Record Interventions to Maximize Opioid Disposal after Surgery in Routine Clinical Practice
• Clinical Efficacy of Unilateral Biportal Endoscopic Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion
• Comparative Analysis of Transcription Factors TWIST2, GATA3, and HES5 in Glioblastoma Multiforme : Evaluating Biomarker Potential and Therapeutic Targets Using in Silico Methods

“Patient portal” refers to an online platform that allows patients to access their health information and communicate with healthcare providers. It's commonly used in hospitals and clinics.

Some typical features of a patient portal include:

Viewing test results

Requesting prescription refills

Messaging doctors

Scheduling appointments

Accessing visit summaries or discharge instructions

Patient portals (PP) have been shown to improve outcomes and quality of care. Engaging them requires internet access, technological literacy, and dexterity, which may serve as access barriers ¹⁾.

• Unintended Consequences of Patient Portal Access
• A patient-centered view of symptoms, functional impact, and priorities in post-COVID-19 syndrome: cross-sectional results from the Quebec Action Post-COVID cohort
• Designing an interoperable patient portal to augment an Advanced Nurse Practitioner service for Children with hydrocephalus
• The Association Between Sociodemographic Factors, Social Determinants of Health, and Spine Surgical Patient Portal Utilization
• Generation and multi-dimensional profiling of a childhood cancer cell line atlas defines new therapeutic opportunities
• Feasibility Study of Stereotactic Radiosurgery Treatment of Glomus Jugulare Tumors via HyperArc VMAT
• Microsurgery for a medial left giant lesser sphenoid wing meningioma complicated by postoperative vasospasm of the ipsilateral supraclinoid carotid artery
• Cervical Laminoplasty for Resection of Hemorrhagic Cavernous Malformation Using a Biportal Technique

While patient portals are a powerful tool for enhancing patient engagement, transparency, and autonomy, their widespread adoption has introduced several unintended consequences that warrant consideration by healthcare providers, administrators, and policymakers.

1. Increased Patient Anxiety

Immediate access to test results, clinical notes, or imaging reports—without prior physician interpretation—can cause distress. Patients may misinterpret benign findings or misunderstand medical terminology, leading to unnecessary worry or even self-diagnosis.

2. Overburdening of Healthcare Providers

Patient portals often lead to a sharp increase in message volume. Physicians may receive numerous questions, requests for clarification, or non-urgent messages, which can contribute to burnout and interfere with clinical workflow.

3. Misinterpretation of Clinical Information

Medical notes are typically written for interprofessional communication, not for patients. Without contextual understanding, patients may misread tone, misunderstand diagnoses, or incorrectly interpret plans, resulting in confusion or erosion of trust.

4. Privacy and Ethical Concerns

Patient portals can inadvertently compromise privacy, especially when access is shared (e.g., with family members or caregivers). Sensitive information—such as results related to terminal illness, genetic testing, or mental health—may be exposed unintentionally.

5. Digital Divide and Health Inequity

Older adults, individuals with low digital literacy, and those without reliable internet access may be excluded from the benefits of patient portals, widening health disparities.

6. Delay in Seeking Professional Guidance

In cases where results appear “normal,” patients may choose to delay or skip follow-up appointments, unaware that further clinical context is essential. Conversely, reading results prematurely may lead to inappropriate self-directed actions or healthcare overuse.

Patient portal access is a transformative development in modern healthcare. However, thoughtful implementation strategies—including tailored education, customizable access settings, and physician-guided communication—are essential to mitigate its unintended consequences and optimize patient safety and satisfaction ²⁾