Learn about ways to connect digitally with your patients and how these digital methods reduce the number of patients in the waiting room.
4 Ways to Connect Digitally With Patients and Reduce Waiting Room Time
As digital technology improves, the way patients attend appointments and visit doctor’s offices changes too. New digital platforms and secure connections allow offices to reduce the amount of time a patient spends in a waiting room. Not only do patients see the doctor faster, but they also reduce the risk of spreading any diseases or illnesses.
Learn about ways to connect digitally with your patients and how to reduce the number of patients in the waiting room.
1. Digital Registration
One of the biggest delays in a waiting room is when a patient needs to fill out registration information. Not only does a patient need to fill out information by hand, but then health workers have to transfer the information into a computer.
If a patient misses any of the information, then they would have to spend extra time filling in information and adding missing parts. With digital registration, a patient may fill out the forms online beforehand. A secure digital access portal gives patients ways to input all the information. If sections are missing, the software notifies the patient, and you receive all the information.
One a patient checks in, the receptionist confirms the data, and the patient is ready to see the doctor. The digital process is also easier to fill out. Drop-down menus allow patients to select the birthday, location, and health ailments.
2. Patient Questionnaires
Along with basic registration functions, digital access gives patients the chance to fill out patient questionnaires. Every few years, many doctors will update patient health history or establish a health history for any new patients.
The questionnaires offer easy ways to check off health issues and allow the issues to get highlighted in the patient portal when a doctor sees a patient. With the digital access, a doctor has a chance to read up on a patient before the appointment.
The questionnaires also feature sections where a patient can type out any health concerns or family history a doctor should know about. Sometimes a patient needs extra time to fill out the detailed information and completing the tasks beforehand will help reduce the amount of time in a waiting room.
3. Appointment Scheduling
Follow up appointments, referrals, and annual physicals are traditionally scheduled at the front desk following an appointment. But you do not need to extend a patient’s time in the office beyond the initial visit. A digital portal allows a patient to schedule follow-up times all through a website or app.
A patient may list their recommended times while your healthcare workers schedule the new appointments through a digital platform. A patient may receive notifications when appointments are made and digital reminders when appoints are coming up soon. Reminders could include both text and email options.
With the digital service, you will reduce the lines at your practice and allow a smoother flow of patients in and out of the waiting room.
4. Payment Options
With co-pays, premiums, and other out of pocket costs, another delay added to the waiting room includes payment options. If patients use a credit or debit card to pay for services, consider offering online payment options. Through the online payments, a patient could see a complete breakdown of charges and understand what the fees cover.
Patients may set up payments before the appointment and then have each one processed after an appointment ends. Send payment reminders digitally to save time with physical bills in the mail. A patient does not have to wait to swipe a card, sign receipts, or complete transactions when everything is completed within a digital platform.
For more information on digital healthcare solutions, contact us at AnnexMed. We will help answer any questions you have and use our digital expertise to guide you through the transition process.