Empowering Patients Through Digital Tools: Enhancing Portal Access for Better Care and Fewer Missed Appointments

Enhancing patient engagement through digital tools, particularly patient portals, is essential to improving mental health outcomes. These platforms empower individuals to actively participate in their care by facilitating communication with providers, offering secure access to health information, and delivering personalized resources. When patients are engaged, they are more likely to adhere to treatment plans, build stronger therapeutic relationships, and experience better long-term recovery.

However, implementing patient portals in mental health settings presents unique challenges, including privacy concerns, digital literacy barriers, and the need for nuanced, interpersonal communication. To address these challenges and ensure meaningful use, Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences (Ontario Shores) launched a comprehensive patient portal optimization strategy designed to increase accessibility, streamline enrollment, and deepen patient engagement.