Efficiency
is the main reason physicians across
the country are turning towards EMR
to revise and update their clinics.
When it comes to efficiency, however,
the front office is one of the places
in the clinic that most need revising.
Patient scheduling is a fundamental part of the
front office routine. Phones that ring constantly,
thick appointment books filled with eraser marks
and illegible handwriting and frustrated patients all
characterize a typical front office scenario.
Online patient scheduling can transform this frenzy
into a much quieter scene. If patients schedule
themselves online, the phones will ring much less,
thus freeing up the front office staff to deal with
patients in the clinic more efficiently.
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How does it work?
The way e-scheduling works is by a standard
online form. Patients enter information such as
physician, date and time, and simply email it to the
clinic. A staff member at the clinic then responds
within 24 hours with a confirmation. At different
clinics, the process can differ slightly. But the significant
similarity is that the person at the front
desk is freed up to greet the patients as they walk
in the door, and is not interrupted by ringing
phones.
Response Time:
Quick response time is a high priority when it
comes to online patient scheduling. It is important
that someone responds to a patient’s appointment
request in a timely manner, and that the patient’s
preference be prioritized. In the future, electronic
patient scheduling will work similarly to electronic
airline ticket purchasing; the system will process
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