Senior Health Navigating Digital Health Records 1/6/2025 | By Kari Smith The world of healthcare has gone digital, with medical records and health care services stored online. This offers patients easier access to their medical information and providers. Navigating digital health records can seem daunting, even to a tech-savvy patient. However, understanding the benefits, learning how to access records, and using electronic services can allow you to take better control of your health. This guide will help you unlock the potential of digital health tools while ensuring your data remains secure. Barriers to using digital health records Many seniors hesitate to embrace digital health records due to various concerns and challenges. Technology is especially intimidating to people who have not used it much. Many prefer a face-to-face interaction with their provider and prefer to receive information directly, as they have grown accustomed, and do not see the value in accessing health records online, since they haven’t needed to in the past. In addition, those who have accessibility challenges (such as impaired vision, hearing, or dexterity) may find it hard to navigate screens or get assistance with questions. Seniors often worry about the safety of their personal health information online, too – with good reason, given the prevalence of identity theft, hacking, and scams. Simply being overwhelmed can keep a patient from using online services. They may be overwhelmed by setting up accounts and keeping track of passwords, the layout of the portal, the unfamiliar wording, keeping up with multiple accounts from different medical professionals, or even the sheer volume of information. This can be especially daunting for those with multiple complex health issues. Learning about the new world of digital health records can help address these challenges. What are digital health records? Digital health records are digital versions of your medical history. They are often referred to as electronic health records or electronic medical records. Each health care provider (or group) maintains an individual record of your history with their practice, including personal information, medical history and diagnoses, treatment plans, results of lab tests and imaging, current medications and allergies, and immunizations record. Systems set up by health care providers often include communication outlets and means of making and changing appointments. Sample patient portal showing features of digital medical records. Benefits Digital health records offer many advantages over old-school paper records and phone conversations. Communication: In many systems, you can make appointments and ask questions online. This can be easier than calling the front desk, leaving a message to pass on to a nurse, waiting for the nurse to talk to the doctor, then finally receiving a call back. Convenience: You can review your medical information from your computer or smart phone at any time without waiting for office hours or waiting on hold. Continuity of care: You can share your records with new providers, especially in situations where one health concern impacts another. Results: Receive lab results right in the portal without waiting for a phone call. Keep in mind that you may sometimes even see your results before your doctor does. Accessing records Most health care providers now offer access to digital health records through patient portals, secure online platforms that connect you to your medical information. After the initial setup, they can be easy to maintain. Understanding and interpreting your records Sign up for a patient portal. If you have never used a patient portal before, your healthcare provider will typically give you instructions, sometimes with a temporary passcode that you will use until you create an account using your own secure name and password. Log in and look around. Many portals offer a video tutorial showing how to use the portal to access your medical records, review test results, request medication refills, schedule an appointment, or send a message. Let other providers, such as specialists, know if your medical records are maintained electronically. If the practices are connected, they may be able to transfer records when needed and see your medical history, which will help them to be more informed while treating you. Ask questions! If you do not understand medical notes or test results, message your doctor to ask for an explanation. Keep track of your health care providers and their portals. Different specialists may operate using unconnected platforms. Keep a record of each provider, the corresponding portal, and your username and/or email and password. Related: Why should you read your medical records? Keeping your data secure Digital records are convenient, but you should protect your personal and health information by creating a strong password and enabling two-factor authentication (an extra security step to make sure it’s you – you input a code sent to your phone or other device, in addition to using your password). Use private networks as much as possible, such as your home WiFi network, not a public WiFi network such as a coffee shop. Always log out of your account when you finish, especially if you are using a shared device, such as a library computer. Make a habit of looking over your records, and if you see any errors, report them to your healthcare provider so they can confirm there has not been any unauthorized contact or errors. Educate yourself on scams. If someone calls claiming to be your doctor’s office asking for personal information, kindly inform them that you would be glad to call them back – then use a contact number you know and can trust, not a number they give you. Don’t be shy – jump in! Reach out for help when necessary, and let the new world of navigating digital health records assist in managing your health and well-being. Read More Kari Smith Kari Smith is a frequent contributor to Seniors Guide, helping to keep those in the senior industry informed and up-to-date. She's a Virginia native whose love of writing began as a songwriter recording her own music. In addition to teaching music and performing in the Richmond area, Kari also enjoys riding horses and farming.