AMA STEPS Forward®

Pearl of the Week: Set expectations about using the patient portal

Engage and inform your patients

| 1 Min Read
STEPS Forward Pearl of the Week

Both patients and care teams need to understand that communication through the patient portal should not replace a physician visit, whether telehealth or in-person.

Offer your patients a handout describing the best way to use the portal. Be open and honest with patients if they are sending too many messages.

Learn more

Stay up to date on practice innovations

Join the AMA today

Become a member of the nation’s largest physician organization and get exclusive access and benefits.

FEATURED STORIES

Woman handing an insurance card to a doctor who is reviewing paperwork

AMA report: Health insurance giants tighten grip on U.S. markets

Dec 16, 2025
Patients in a waiting room at a doctor's office

What to expect from the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule

| 7 Min Read
Row of blocks with businesspeople with one being taken away

4 “Big, Beautiful Bill” changes that will reshape care in 2026

| 6 Min Read
Wood poles with question mark symbols

PAs push to enshrine “physician associate” term in law

| 6 Min Read