Genres

• Fax machines: Yes, fax machines are still very much used within medical environments. Fax machines make it easy for providers to send items such as referrals or a copy of a prescription to another facility. Another reason that fax machines are an important way of communicating is because they can send medical records. Imagine being referred from your primary doctor to a foot and ankle specialist, you go to this podiatrist, and they know the reason you are there. How do they know everything and have never met you? This is because providers fax necessary medical records for your visit before you get there. This helps give you better care and the best health plan, since your providers have this fast way of communicating!

• Systems: A system I am personally familiar with is Epic, Epic is the electronic way of communicating within a facility. It may not be able to send messages and context to clinics who use different systems, but it makes communication extremely easy between patients, nurses, and doctors within the company. Have you ever called your doctor's office to confirm an appointment and was able to confirm multiple appointments at various locations within the same company? Thanks to systems like Epic that make it possible for providers to communicate about your health together!

• MyChart: MyChart is a tool used in Presbyterian, that helps us communicate with our providers in a more convenient way. Most clinics are open during the hours you may work, leaving you with a few very slim windows to call your doctor's office. We have all been there, calling a clinic during our breaks or lunch trying to explain to them what is going on or when you can be scheduled for an appointment, then you rush back to work. MyChart is a tool where you can see most of your medical history, immunizations, vaccinations, results, referrals, future, and past appointments, along with allowing you to send messages to any of your doctors within Presbyterian! These are only a few examples of content it provides; the list goes on. For people with children (of a certain age) you can also create a separate MyChart for them, but it is connected with yours, inside the tool it makes it easy to switch profiles and see all this information for them as well!