How can we, as healthcare professionals, transform portal messaging from a burden into an efficient tool for care? In this episode, I explore how both patients and practitioners can approach portal communication with more clarity and balance.
I share tips for patients to craft concise, actionable messages that respect their provider’s time while ensuring their concerns are addressed. For practitioners, I point out setting boundaries, managing expectations with clear guidelines, and leveraging group visits to reduce message volume.
By rethinking how we use portal messaging, we can protect vital energy and foster a more sustainable healthcare ecosystem for everyone involved!
Quotes
- “Think before you open that portal message. What have you done already to answer your question? And that could mean like a Google search or maybe things that you've tried from the last treatment plan that your physician suggested. You can list those steps. You know, I've tried here, I've done this, and this is the symptom that's still bothering me. Then you ask one question.” (2:55 | Dr. Lara Salyer)
- “Many EMR systems will allow an auto-reply. So when somebody puts a portal message in, they get an automatic reply. So you may want to switch yours up every so often, right? After reading it once or twice, most patients will ignore the message. But if you rotate it, Say something like, due to the high volume of messaging, if you have a question, your best chance of getting an answer is to coming into our group visit on this day at this time. Or while you're waiting, here's a small checklist that can help patients. If you're under an elimination diet, here's my link to my snack swaps. You know, if you have a system or method that you tend to walk your patients through, you can give them a link.” (13:29 | Dr. Lara Salyer)
- “Portal messaging can be a huge burden, but it can also be a great opportunity to invite people into your ecosystem and your culture. Your culture of honoring self-care, of empowering patients, to be discerning on what needs assistance, and to show them how you can do that as the expert in functional medicine.” (18:15 | Dr. Lara Salyer)
Links
Schedule a 20-minute Brainstorm Session: https://drlarasalyer.as.me/discovery
Visit https://drlarasalyer.com/shop. Direct link to the course: https://rightbrainrescue.com/p/reclamation
Connect with Lara:
Website: https://drlarasalyer.com
The Catalyst Way: https://drlarasalyer.com/catalyst
Instagram: @drlarasalyer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlarasalyer
Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlarasalyer/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrLaraSalyer
TikTok: @Creativity.Doctor
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