Internet-based portals for communicating with physicians, getting prescriptions filled and other uses are likely to become increasingly common in coming years, United Press International is reporting this week.

These portals – which use Microsoft-based technology called “.net”, can connect right into a hospital’s electronic medical record so that patients can input updated information, gather information, process payments, get prescriptions refilled, or request test results, UPI reports.

These types of portals are likely to not just stick around, but grow. Physicians and other members of the healthcare field view the systems as vital to improving preventative care, UPI reports.