According to research, 51.3% of the factors influencing patients' decisions in healthcare are convenience and accessibility.
Therefore, healthcare professionals need to focus on the key factors listed in the table above when it comes to patient appointment scheduling and follow-up.
Today, many dental clinics still require patients to make phone calls to schedule appointments. This can lead to reluctance among patients to book their next appointment. Additionally, phone calls can cause your staff to spend their time inefficiently.
Fortunately, Medicasimple is here to handle your clinic’s online appointment scheduling!
Patients generally seek the easiest option when booking an appointment. According to a survey, the importance of having options to change or cancel appointment times and dates online increased from 55% in 2016 to 68% in 2019.
By offering an online booking option, you give patients the flexibility to choose the best treatment time that suits them. Some people prefer to book appointments online, and if you don’t offer this option, you might lose potential patients. Moreover, if your staff is struggling to keep up with calls during peak times, using an online appointment system can also be an excellent solution for simplifying appointment management.
People who work during the day may not find time to call for an appointment during business hours. Online booking allows patients to schedule appointments even when your clinic is closed. The last thing you want is for a patient to find you online but be unable to book an appointment because they can't reach your clinic.
Online appointment scheduling helps fill gaps in your schedule. Patients can easily see available slots if last-minute cancellations or changes occur. This is crucial because patients who wait over a month for an appointment are more likely to cancel it.
If appointments can only be booked by phone, your staff likely spends most of the day answering calls. According to a survey, 24.8% of healthcare staff spend 5-9 hours a week answering calls from patients.
Delegating this task to a cloud-based clinic management system gives your staff more time to focus on other duties. For instance, they should have the time to assist a patient in the waiting room if they have a question.
Online booking can increase patient satisfaction even before they visit your clinic. Recently, it was found that work hours and being put on hold when booking an appointment frustrated 56.1% of patients. A cloud-based system can solve this problem for you.
Scheduling an appointment shouldn’t be a hassle for your patients. Online booking allows them to choose a time that fits their schedule, making the process easier for those who can’t call during the day.
Visit our website to learn more about Medicasimple. When you switch to online booking, you’ll notice an increase in productivity and revenue.
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