Can Tech Tools Make It Easier to Manage Your Health?

Now More Than Ever at Emory Healthcare, the Answer is Yes.

Technology helps you do more with less hassle, whether you use an app to order a birthday cake or buy a plane ticket to San Diego. Yes, some technology can be clunky and frustrating. But the best tools tackle tasks with just a few clicks, allowing you to focus on things that are truly important to you.

Crossing off items on your to-do list is great. But what if technology could also help you take charge of your well-being? At Emory Healthcare, it can. Three years ago, we began to roll out new digital tools to help people navigate their health care needs. The first high-impact tool was MyChart. This secure online portal allows you to access your health information, manage care-related tasks and communicate with your providers.

MyChart is a game-changer—and it’s just the beginning of a large-scale digital transformation at Emory. Our mission? To give you what you want and need: improved access to providers, shorter wait times for specialty appointments and a more efficient process from the moment you schedule your appointment to when you arrive.

“Emory has a strong reputation for clinical and research excellence, and we are proud of that. But like any successful organization, we want to do more for the people who count on us,” says Amaka Eneanya, MD, MPH, chief transformation officer at Emory Healthcare.

“At Emory, that means providing world-class customer service for every person who walks through our doors. Technology can help us do that. We’ve made many strides, especially in the last few years, and we continue to find new ways to challenge ourselves and grow.”
Amaka Eneanya
abstract photo of emory healthcare

In this article, we’ll introduce you to some cool MyChart features and a few more digital tools to make your life easier. We’ll also provide a little reassurance for those who want to hear a human’s voice on the end of the line. Your well-being goes beyond convenience and efficiency; it’s deeply rooted in the caring individuals who support you on your health journey. You can always count on Emory for that.

screenshot of the mychart app

The Digital Transformation Origin Story

MyChart is part of Epic, an electronic health record system that more than 3,000 U.S. hospitals use to store and organize patient information. Emory introduced Epic and MyChart simultaneously in October 2022. Doing so was a massive behind-the-scenes effort that involved thousands of hours of planning and execution.

“Our previous patient portal was not intuitive or user-friendly,” says Daniel Thomas, corporate director of digital transformation. “People had to call Emory with simple requests like rescheduling an appointment or asking for directions. In this day and age, that’s just not going to work."

“People want to access their personal health information and understand where they are in their care journey. We had to do better.”
Daniel Thomas
abstract photo of emory healthcare
7 in 10 emory patients use mychart infographic

Here are just a few things MyChart allows you to do: 

  • Access your medical records, including after-visit notes and test results 
  • Communicate with your care team 
  • Complete forms before your appointment 
  • Schedule an appointment with a primary care provider or specialist 
  • View and pay your medical bills 

It’s easy to set up a MyChart account. You need access to a computer or mobile device connected to the internet and an up-to-date browser (such as Edge, Chrome, Firefox or Safari). MyChart is available at MyChart.com and on a mobile app, and you can always log in on emoryhealthcare.org by clicking “MyChart Patient Portal.” MyChart is a secure platform that prioritizes patient privacy, from HIPAA compliance to industry-leading security technology. 

If you already use MyChart at another health system, you can easily link your account to Emory using the “Link my Accounts” feature in the Main menu under the “Sharing” tab. This will give you and your care team a consolidated view of your medical history, medications and other health information across health systems that offer MyChart.

Three High-Impact MyChart Features 

Epic and MyChart paved the way for Emory to offer patients advanced self-service options. We ramped up gradually, “turning on” new features one by one to ensure smooth transitions. Today, Emory’s MyChart offerings are some of the most comprehensive compared to other health systems in the region. You can schedule far more than your annual physical—in fact, online scheduling is available in over 25 specialty areas in addition to imaging and diagnostic testing.

woman sitting outdoors on a deck using a smartphone

Allow us to introduce you to three of Emory’s most popular self-service options on MyChart.

1. Self-scheduling
You can schedule primary care and specialty appointments. Self-scheduling allows you to select your preferred provider and location and choose from available dates and times. You can also self-schedule imaging tests (such as X-rays) and heart tests. Plus, it’s easy to reschedule or cancel appointments in MyChart (some specialties ask you to call the office instead).

2. Fast Pass
Hoping to see your provider sooner? After you schedule your appointment, click “Join the waitlist and be notified if an earlier appointment opens up.” MyChart will notify you when a slot becomes available, and you can accept the new date and time if you wish.

3. E-check-in
Gone are the days of spending 20 minutes in the waiting room filling out forms. Now, you can complete these tasks before you arrive from the convenience of your home. MyChart will notify you one week before your appointment that e-check-in is available. This feature allows you to:

  • Complete appointment-related questionnaires
  • Pay copays or make prepayments
  • Verify or update insurance and demographic information
  • Verify or update your allergies, medications and current health issues
  • If you forget to do e-check-in or prefer not to, no problem. When you arrive, the office staff will ensure you have the forms you need. Many front desks also provide tablets to simplify completing your forms.

“These tools mimic digital experiences people are already familiar with, like making a dinner reservation online or returning an item on Amazon,” says Thomas. “Yet, they are customized to the personal experience of managing your health. MyChart features are here for you when you want easy convenience. But you are always welcome to call your provider with questions or to make an appointment.”

We’ve created a YouTube channel with step-by-step instructions on how to get the most out of MyChart services. Check it out!

welcome screen of mychart
“These tools mimic digital experiences people are already familiar with. Yet, they are customized to the personal experience of managing your health.”
-Daniel Thomas

Patient Input Leads to Improvements

Many elements of our digital transformation are a direct result of patient feedback we’ve received over the years, says Mary Stewart, MPH, director of operations for the physician division of Emory Healthcare.

“Patient input is invaluable, whether it’s insight people share with their doctor’s office or a comment they make in a survey,” Stewart says. “We want patients to know we are listening and will continue to make changes that improve your experience.”

Texting Makes Tasks Easier

Patients consistently tell us that they value straightforward and convenient solutions. That’s one reason we launched a new SMS feature for anyone who has opted to receive text messages from Emory (you don’t need a MyChart account).

The SMS feature will:

  • Send appointment reminders and notifications
  • Prompt you to complete e-check-in
  • Provide links to pay your balance
  • Help you notify your doctor’s office when you’ve arrived for an appointment (contactless check-in)
  • Make waitlist offers via Fast Pass

Download the myEmoryHealth App

Members of Emory’s Patient Family Advisor (PFA) program recently helped us develop myEmoryHealth, our new mobile app. PFA members are volunteers from the community who share first-hand experiences about the care they received at Emory. We asked a group of them to contribute ideas for our app and test various features before we rolled out myEmoryHealth in 2024.

myemoryhealth app icon

Download the myEmoryHealth mobile app on Google Play or at the App Store.

infographic showing how to use the app

MyEmoryHealth’s wayfinding feature can help you get from the parking lot to your appointment, using internal navigation similar to Google Maps or Waze. How do we know it’s accurate? Because we sent specialized robots to traverse our hospitals’ hallways, rooms and common spaces to collect location data. Programmers used the data to create detailed digital maps. The app makes it easy to find appointment locations, laboratories, guest services, cafeterias and more.​

wayfinding robot traveling through buildings on Emory campuses to collect mapping data

The wayfinding robot traveled through buildings on several Emory campuses to collect mapping data. 

Need to Talk to Someone? We’re Always Here.

Digital tools make it easier and more convenient than ever to manage your health care. But at Emory, we know there is no substitute for human connection. That’s why we offer 24/7 access to our Call Center, where real, live people can help you with whatever you need. They can:

call center graphic

Each day, the call center receives 30,000 phone calls, chat messages and emails.

Some of the requests are routine, others complex. Customer service team members rely heavily on sophisticated communication technology to respond quickly and accurately.

a call center employee on the phone with a customer

“It’s important to provide communication options for everyone, whether they love MyChart and text messaging or want to talk to another human being,” says Sarah Kier, MBA, senior vice president of patient access at Emory."

“We don’t want anyone to get left behind on something as important as health care.”
- Sarah Kier

We’re Just Getting Started

Digital transformation isn’t limited to your primary care checkups and other specialist appointments. We’re also adding new technologies to improve your hospital stay. Many are already in place in Lithonia—the nation’s first hospital powered by Apple products and Epic.

“We see Emory Hillandale Hospital as a ‘hospital of the future,’” says Jen Schuck, CEO of Emory Hillandale Hospital. “This hospital is our innovation hub, where we pilot cutting-edge digital solutions that shape the future of patient care across Emory Healthcare. It’s a dynamic environment for our teams and a transformative experience for our patients—where technology and compassion come together to redefine what’s possible in a hospital setting.”

Each inpatient room has an iPad that makes it easy for patients to view their MyChart account, summon a nurse, stream movies and watch educational videos, and order meals. When a provider enters the room, their name, photo and credentials appear on-screen to familiarize patients and family with their care team. The iPads can also be used to video-call family members who aren’t at the hospital so they can tune in to updates from the care team and ask questions alongside the patient

patient in a recovery room with an ipad

Across our health system, we’re also advancing patient care through new technology. Through virtual nursing, patients can access nurses through in-room telehealth technology—getting a response more quickly and efficiently. New technology is helping to monitor erratic movements that could lead to falls, notifying the care team up to 30 seconds before a fall occurs. We’re also exploring ways to reduce medical device noise to help patients relax and sleep better.

Learn more about what bedside iPads can do at Emory Hillandale Hospital.

Forward-Thinking Care—With Heart

“The digital transformation at Emory has fostered an innovation mindset across the health system,” Dr. Eneanya says. “No change is too big or too small to consider. We are always thinking about new solutions and improvements to provide a world-class experience for our patients. That’s our vision going forward.”

As Emory Healthcare continues to blaze new trails, we know patients and families aren’t the only ones who benefit from the digital transformation. The people who work here experience the difference, too.

“New technologies simplify complex tasks and reduce paperwork,” explains Sarah Kier. “As a result, providers and administrative staff can focus on their most fulfilling role: caring for patients. This allows them to enjoy their jobs—and lives—more.”

“Digital transformation is critical to serving our patients and supporting our staff,” she adds. “I’ve been here 11 years, and I’ve never been more optimistic about where Emory is headed and our ability to achieve great things than I am right now.”

Where you start your health care matters.

Emory Healthcare, with 29,500 employees and 11 hospitals, is the most comprehensive academic health system in Georgia. System-wide, it has 3,028 licensed patient beds, more than 3,800 physicians practicing in more than 70 specialties, serving metro Atlanta and Georgia. It also provides services to greater Georgia through a joint venture at St. Francis–Emory Healthcare in Columbus, six regional affiliate hospitals and its clinically integrated physician network.