Patients increasingly expect convenience and efficiency in all aspects of their lives, including healthcare. A study by Experian Health shows that 89% want the ability to schedule appointments anytime via online or mobile tools. The same survey showed providers are listening, with 63% offering self-scheduling and another 16% planning to go live with these tools in six months. That’s good news for everyone, and not just because patients say they want more digital tools to manage their healthcare. Online scheduling addresses patient expectations by offering a range of benefits that traditional scheduling methods cannot match. However, these benefits aren’t just for patients; healthcare providers that deploy online patient scheduling software experience four impressive benefits with a direct impact on their revenue cycle.
What is online patient scheduling software?
Online patient scheduling software is a digital tool designed to facilitate the appointment booking process for healthcare providers and their patients. This patient access technology replaces traditional over-the-phone scheduling methods with an efficient and user-friendly online system.
The key features of patient digital scheduling platforms include:
- 24/7 appointment booking: Patients can schedule appointments at any time, day or night, providing flexibility and convenience that traditional methods cannot offer.
- Automated reminders: The software sends automatic reminders via email or SMS to reduce the likelihood of missed appointments.
- Real-time availability: Patients can view and select available time slots in real-time, ensuring they can find appointments that fit their schedules.
- Calendar integration: The software integrates with the provider’s existing calendar systems to ensure that all appointments are accurately tracked and managed.
- Customizable scheduling: Healthcare providers can customize the software to reflect their specific scheduling rules, such as appointment types, durations, and provider availability.
Manual scheduling frustrates patients and providers. Online patient scheduling allows patients to regain control while increasing their engagement in managing their health.
Why do patients prefer online scheduling?
Patients want online scheduling software because it aligns with their desire for convenience, efficiency, and control over their healthcare experience.
One of the primary reasons to use online scheduling software is its round-the-clock availability. Patients can book appointments without office-hour restrictions. Online scheduling software allows patients to select time slots best suited to their schedules, minimizing the time spent waiting on hold during phone calls or in busy waiting rooms. Patients can easily see and compare availability, making planning their visits easier around personal and professional commitments. It also makes canceling or rescheduling appointments less of a hassle.
One common issue patients face is forgetting about their appointments. Online scheduling software often includes automated reminders and confirmations via email or SMS, helping patients remember their upcoming visits.
Some patients may also feel uncomfortable discussing their medical issues over the phone or in person at the front desk. Online scheduling offers a more private and discreet way to book appointments, allowing patients to select services without disclosing personal information to multiple people.
Bringing digital efficiencies to healthcare scheduling leads to a more positive patient experience. One study showed that 28% of patients say care access has improved over the past year, even as more providers adopt these new technologies.
But it’s not just patients who benefit from online patient scheduling software. There are plenty of incentives for healthcare providers to adopt these tools.
Healthcare providers benefit from online patient scheduling
By adopting this technology, healthcare providers can streamline operations, improve patient satisfaction, and ultimately deliver higher-quality care.
Experian Health offers online patient scheduling software that meets the needs of patients while benefiting providers. For example, Indiana University Health (IU Health) deployed the software across 16 hospitals and the largest network of physicians in the state. The organization leveraged the solution to increase patient volumes with minimal staff training, improving patient utilization by 114% within the first year. Today, four employees can handle patient scheduling for up to eight service lines. An unexpected benefit was the increase in referral management; the software enabled 600 monthly referral appointments, helping to generate new revenue for the system.
These results are typical; most providers find the benefits of online patient scheduling software include:
- Reduced staff training time
- Improves the scheduling process for patients and providers
- Decreases patient no-shows
- Increases patient volumes and revenue
Speeds up staff training
One of the most significant challenges in any healthcare setting is training new staff quickly and effectively. Getting new staff up to speed rapidly is essential when severe staffing shortages are the norm. Experian Health’s online patient scheduling software simplifies training. Its user-friendly interface and intuitive design reduce the learning curve for new employees to about an hour. The software provides guided workflows and real-time assistance, translating to less time spent on training and more time focused on patient care.
Streamlines scheduling time
Traditional scheduling methods can be time-consuming and prone to errors; 62% of providers say chronic staffing shortages exacerbate the problem. Online scheduling streamlines the entire process, cutting scheduling time in half over traditional methods. By allowing patients to book appointments online, the software reduces the back-and-forth communication typically required for scheduling. Automated reminders and confirmations ensure efficient appointment management. The calendar integration feature allows real-time updates and availability checks, providing a convenient booking process that enhances the patient experience.
Improves patient no-show rates
Patient no-shows can be a significant issue for healthcare providers, leading to lost revenue and wasted time. Experian Health’s online scheduling software tackles this problem head-on. The software includes automated email or SMS appointment reminders, significantly reducing the likelihood of patients forgetting their appointments. Additionally, the ease of rescheduling allows patients to adjust their appointments without the hassle, further decreasing no-show rates. By keeping patients informed and engaged, the software helps ensure they attend their scheduled appointments, improving the clinic’s efficiency and patient satisfaction.
Josh Brown, Program Manager for Provider Match at IU Health, stated, “We’ve seen a reduction in no-shows and an increase in patient engagement. By leveraging technology and data analysis, the guided scheduling platform has helped deliver better care more efficiently and effectively.”
Increases patient volumes and revenue
Online patient scheduling directly contributes to increased patient volumes by improving scheduling efficiency and reducing no-show rates. More patients can schedule in less time, and the reduction in no-shows means fewer appointment slots go unused. The convenience of online scheduling can attract new patients who prefer digital interactions over traditional phone calls. These benefits lead to higher patient volumes and increased revenue for the healthcare practice.
Today’s digitally-savvy healthcare consumers require a different approach to scheduling services. Online patient scheduling offers them the convenience of DIY appointment setting and has some surprising benefits for healthcare providers, too, making these solutions a win for everyone.
Ready to make the move to online scheduling? Contact Experian Health to get started!
