David, just for clarification I was actually referring to patients that have multiple labs such as their yearly labs done, and then want to discuss them over the phone rather than come in for their physical. For follow up of a particular lab I may post results on the portal, often with a brief note (example - "Your TSH is now normal with your new dose of synthroid - print the lab form that I have posted and repeat it again 1 week before your next appointment in x months").
Some patients can have part of their care managed by using the portal, and some I bring in. It is based sometimes more on the patient than the actual care. I would compare it to how some patients can follow a sliding scale to titrate up their daily insulin, while others (not based on their age) never seem to get it right and need to be seen more often.
Using the EMR with Updox I find that I am continually refining and adjusting how I practice in order to balance my schedule (and actual income) while maintaining our patient load (and potential income), as I see what works and what does not work (i.e. the usual trial and error system).
