Research Methodology
Our research methodology explains how we review public patient portal information, official sources, user intent, and privacy-safety issues.
Research Methodology
Our research method is built for patient-portal topics where accuracy, safety, privacy, and official-source verification matter. We focus on what a real user is trying to do, then look for public official sources that support safe next steps without asking for private health information.
Core Research Questions
- Is the user trying to log in, sign up, recover access, pay a bill, schedule care, view results, request refills, or contact support?
- Which healthcare organization or official portal controls that task?
- Is the page public information, or does the user need secure account access?
- What official phone number, address, map, help page, or portal link can be safely referenced?
- What warning is needed to protect credentials, PHI, billing information, and urgent medical needs?
Human Quality Review
A human review checks whether the content is unique, practical, clear, and safe. We look for unnecessary risk, outdated wording, confusing office roles, missing emergency disclaimers, and misleading language that could make users think we are the official portal.
Research Categories
| Category | Public Details We Review | Safety Concern |
|---|---|---|
| Login access | Official portal links, app instructions, activation guidance, support pages | Credential phishing and wrong portal use |
| Billing | Billing support pages, guest pay links, payment processor warnings, estimates pages | Financial data and wrong account payments |
| Appointments | Scheduling pages, location pages, provider contact pages | Delayed care or wrong location |
| Medical records | Records request pages, proxy info, release forms, privacy office pages | PHI disclosure and legal privacy rights |
| Emergency guidance | General emergency disclaimers and official urgent care pages | Users waiting for a portal message during an emergency |
Update and Monitoring Method
We periodically revisit important public links and high-risk pages. If a healthcare organization changes a login URL, moves a billing page, updates a support number, changes a location page, or redirects a portal, we update our guide where practical. Reader reports also help us discover changes faster.
Methodology Limit
Our methodology improves the quality of public information, but it cannot access or verify private patient accounts. Final account-specific information must come from the official healthcare organization.
Information-Only Reminder
mychart-health.org/ is an independent informational guide. We are not Epic, MyChart, a hospital, a clinic, a health insurance company, a billing office, an emergency service, or a healthcare provider. Always use your official healthcare organization's MyChart portal, official website, phone number, or patient support team for account-specific help, medical decisions, billing actions, appointments, refills, test results, and urgent care needs.