Mythbusters

for Physicians

v2.0

Myth #1: The patient population is computer-illiterate, elderly, or lacks computer access.
Truth:

Everett Clinic found that the highest use of their MyChart portal was by 50- to 70-year-old
patients with multiple or chronic conditions.1

More than 2.71 million Kaiser Permanente members have registered and activated (45% of
all eligible members who have regular access to the internet).2

Myth #2: MyChart will reduce unnecessary office visits so I can focus on the patients who
really need one-on-one attention.
Truth:
61% of patients sent messages through MyChart in place of office visits; 95% used messages to
replace a telephone call.3
Patients who use secure e-mail (via MyChart) were 7 - 10% less likely to schedule office visits
and make 14% fewer phone contacts than those who do not use online services.2

Myth # 3: Theres no way patients will use e-visits instead of calling or visiting the office.
Truth:
Nearly 80% of users rated e-visits "equally good as or "better" than in-person visits;
56.7% of users would pay for an e-visit.4
48.7% of users would be willing to have an e-visit with an unfamiliar doctor.4
Heres what UPMC patients have to say about MyChart e-visits:

"This was my first e-visit and I anticipated some difficulty navigating through the pages. I am
very pleased to say that this grandma had no problem at all. I was very pleased with e-visit
and will definitely use it in the future. Thank you."
"I am immensely grateful you offer e-visits. I am a chronic sufferer of sinus infections and the
symptoms are always the same. It saves me so much stress and headache when I am already
not feeling well to know I do not have to drag my three children to the doctors office with
me. Thank you.
I think this is a brilliant idea. Saves me time and money for treating little things. I still would
come to the office for bigger concerns. I also feel more confident in the information I am
receiving because it is from my doctor.

Myth #4: MyChart will save me time and money.

Truth:

71% of results were communicated to the patient within 2.1 days without an increase in
physician workload.9

Averaging 309 results messages per month via MyChart, one group saved over $11,000 for a
group of only 10 physicians.5

MyChart's cost averaged out to $2 per patient per year. MyChart saves money and effort.
For instance, one organization saved $2.80 for each letter they didnt need to mail.5
Ordering prescription refills through MyChart saved an average of four minutes per refill.6

Myth #5: My patients are already happy, so MyChart cant improve patient care.
Truth:

47% of patients would choose a provider based on whether he or she uses MyChart. 58%
of patients claimed that MyChart has positively changed their perception of the
organization. 69% of patients use MyChart at least monthly.7

Patients communicating with their doctors over e-mail (through MyChart) showed a
statistically significant improvement in effectiveness of care as measured by HEDIS,
including improvements of 2.0 - 6.5 % on measures like HbA1c, cholesterol, and blood
pressure screening and control.8

76% of patients are satisfied or very satisfied with the timeliness of care team responses
through MyChart.3

HIMSS News, Window to the Future: Using Patient Portals, 2010

Kaiser Permanente, MyChart Rollout and Activation, 2009
WIITS survey (Dean/SSM Wisconsin), 2009
5
4UPMC, UPMC Health Trak & eVisits, 2009
5
University of Utah Hospitals & Clinics, 2009
6
WIITS, Were Live on MyChart: Now What?, 2008
7
Zhou et al, Improved Quality at Kaiser Permanente through E-Mail Between Physicians and Patients, Health Affairs 29 (7), 2010: 1370-1375
8
Northwestern Medical Faculty Foundation
9
HIMSS News, Patient Portals: A Jumpstart on Meeting Meaningful Use Requirements, 2010
2
3

2011 Epic Systems Corporation. Confidential.