The population of the United States continues to grow each year, and people are living longer, which means that the number of individuals seeking care at hospitals, doctor’s offices and wellness facilities is also growing. This growth has led many in the healthcare industry to seek alternative and innovative technology solutions — like online booking — to help streamline daily tasks and make it easier for patients to connect with doctors and healthcare professionals.
Online booking benefits small businesses, especially healthcare facilities, because it improves efficiency, allowing the staff to spend less time scheduling and managing appointments by phone and making appointment reminder calls and more time with patients. It can also save businesses money, as it reduces the need for scheduling staff. In addition, busy patients appreciate the option to book appointments on the go at any time during the day or night, and are more likely to book appointments if a convenient scheduling option exists.
According to The Accenture Connected Health Pulse Survey 2012, of the 1,100 U.S. patients surveyed, 90 percent want to embrace eHealth self-service options, such as access to health information and scheduling and prescription refills. What’s more, 72 percent want to be able to book and change appointments online, and 68 percent want to be able to use their mobile devices to handle upcoming appointments.
When considering utilizing an online booking option, it is important for the small business or healthcare facility to research a dependable provider that offers the available technological features, security options, customer support and costs that are best-suited for the business. Here are some options:
Book Healthcare
This free online website service helps patients find the right healthcare provider. Patients can search from a list of healthcare professionals by specialty, location, reason for visit and insurance provider. Doctors and dentists can provide information, such as education, awards and affiliated associations, as well as offer savings incentives for first-time patients. This site is free for patients as well as doctors and healthcare professionals.
AppointmentPlus
Online appointment scheduling software system Appointment Plus allows for online payments and offers clients top-notch customer service and security procedures. The software costs between $34 and $67, depending on the package chosen.
Practice Fusion
Practice Fusion is a cloud-based online booking model that connects doctors with patients. Along with allowing patients to search for a doctor and book an appointment online, Practice Fusion can be used by doctors to chart the visit, order prescriptions and labs and send referrals. Post-visit, patients can receive health reminders, view labs and health history and refill prescriptions. This site is free for patients, doctors and healthcare professionals.
In today’s fast-paced society, on-the-go and tech-savvy consumers have become used to taking care of many business matters directly on their computers, smartphones, and tablets. Offering an online booking option not only helps boost your business’ efficiency and revenue, but it also allows patients to stay up-to-date on appointments and connected to their doctors—basically encouraging the use of technology in a way that is good for their health.