Doctor & Patient Portals vs. KeepTrackMed: Understanding the Differences

What is a Health or Patient Portal?

A patient portal is an online system that lets patients access parts of their medical records, such as test results, prescriptions, and appointment details. However, there is no standardized format across healthcare systems, meaning records are often fragmented and vary depending on the provider. Most portals are one-way, allowing patients to view information, but not add personal notes, track symptoms, or consolidate records from multiple providers.

🌎 Health Portals Around the World

In the United States, most healthcare providers offer patient portals linked to their electronic health record (EHR) systems. These portals, such as MyChart, allow patients to view lab results, appointment history, prescriptions, and some doctor notes. They are beneficial because they provide official, up-to-date medical records directly from healthcare providers. However, these portals are typically one-way systems, meaning they offer information but have limited interactivity. Since each provider or hospital system operates its own portal, patients often have multiple logins and fragmented records across different healthcare networks.

Canada’s health portals vary by province. Some provinces, like British Columbia (Health Gateway) and Alberta (MyHealth Records), provide access to lab results, immunization records, and prescription history. Ontario and Quebec have partial systems that allow patients to see test results but not full medical records. While these portals offer official and secure access to medical information, they often don’t include details from all healthcare providers, such as family doctors, specialists, or private clinics. Additionally, not all doctors use these portals, making access inconsistent across the country.

Australia’s My Health Record is a national digital health system where patients can view test results, medication history, hospital visits, and immunization records. It allows patients to upload advance care planning documents, but most data is still controlled by healthcare providers. While this system provides a centralized location for some health information, participation is optional, and many providers do not actively update records. The biggest challenge is that My Health Record is limited in scope, covering only the healthcare providers who choose to contribute data.

In England, the NHS App provides access to GP records, prescriptions, test results, and hospital referrals. It also allows patients to book appointments and request prescriptions. However, not all records are included, and specialist visits or private care may not appear.

In Scotland, no equivalent national system exists, and access to records is more fragmented, relying on individual health boards.

In Wales, the NHS Wales App provides access to GP services, appointment booking, prescription reordering, and a summary of medical records. However, full access depends on whether a person’s GP practice is enrolled in the system.

In Northern Ireland, no unified national health portal exists. Patients often rely on GP practice online systems, which vary in the level of access they provide.

While NHS portals offer a convenient way to view some official health information, they mainly focus on GP data and lack a comprehensive view of a patient’s full medical history.

⚠️ The Limitations of Health Portals

Health portals are valuable tools for viewing medical records, but they come with limitations:

• Not always comprehensive – They typically don’t include records from all healthcare providers, such as dentists, physiotherapists, chiropractors, or optometrists and can miss information from specialists, out of network providers, and private providers.

• Limited portability – Records are tied to specific healthcare systems and may not be accessible when switching providers or traveling.

• One-way access – Patients can view information but often cannot add their own health tracking details, symptoms, or notes.

✔️ How KeepTrackMed Puts Patients in Control

Unlike health portals, KeepTrackMed is designed for personal health management, giving users full control over their medical information. While the downside is that users must manually enter their data, the benefits far outweigh this effort:

• All-in-One Storage – KeepTrackMed allows users to track all healthcare providers, including GPs, specialists, dentists, chiropractors, physiotherapists, and optometrists, ensuring nothing is left out.

• Consistent Format – Unlike health portals, which vary by provider and country, KeepTrackMed offers a single, structured way to store medical details.

• Fully Portable – Your data stays with you no matter where you go, making it easy to switch doctors, relocate, or travel without losing access to records.

• Symptom & Skin Issue Tracking – Patients can log symptoms over time, making it easier to identify patterns and provide more accurate information to healthcare providers.

  
  

• Supplement & Medication Logging – Unlike traditional portals that only track prescribed medications, KeepTrackMed allows users to monitor vitamins, supplements, and over-the-counter treatments.

• Personalized Notes & Records – Users can add their own notes after doctor visits, track injuries and accidents that may not be recorded in official medical records, and ensure they have a complete history in one place.

• Reminders & Notifications – Built-in reminders help users stay on top of appointments, medication refills, and follow-ups so nothing is forgotten.

• Comprehensive Health Tracking – Keep a record of all aspects of health, from allergies and test results to family medical history and height/weight that all impact well-being.

• Whole Family in One App – Easily manage health records for an entire family, including children, aging parents, and even pets, ensuring all medical details are organized in one convenient location.

With KeepTrackMed, patients are in control - they can record their health history, track symptoms, set reminders, and add personal notes, giving them a more complete picture of their health. Unlike traditional health portals, which are tied to providers and often incomplete, KeepTrackMed offers a portable, user-driven solution that ensures every detail is accessible when and where it’s needed.

While official health portals are helpful for accessing medical records from providers, KeepTrackMed ensures all aspects of a person’s health are tracked in one place, giving users the ability to take charge of their health, make informed decisions, and reduce the stress of managing medical information across multiple systems.