The administrative burden placed on physicians is at an all-time high. Regulatory requirements surrounding reporting and documentation are increasing in stringency, meaning physicians themselves now have a lot more on their plates than simply caring for patients.

Alongside these strict regulatory requirements, many practices are also faced with a deluge of phone calls from patients seeking appointments; with vaccinations now readily available, greater numbers of patients are now safe to return to physical appointments. Not all practices will have escaped the worst of the pandemic with their entire staff intact meaning these calls will only serve to place an even greater amount of stress on those still left.

While not an all-encompassing solution, implementing online after-hours booking might alleviate some of this strain. Allowing patients the ability to self-schedule round the clock offers much greater convenience, something they have already come to expect due to the consumerization of healthcare. The latter point makes it a necessity for any practice looking to thrive in the present times. Let’s take a more in-depth look at all of the benefits this prospect offers:

The changing demands of younger patients

Modern consumers, for whom instant connectivity and high-speed internet are ubiquitous, seek a certain level of convenience and control, through experiences tailored according to their routines and unique preferences, from all of the services and products they avail themselves of. The internet is a core part of how they go about their daily lives, and this urge for constant connectivity and to be in control also extends to their healthcare needs.

There is a downside to this, however. Patients these days are far more likely to take their symptoms to a search engine rather than an actual physician, looking to self-diagnose. This creates a dangerous situation; a patient misdiagnoses themselves and self-medicates for this misdiagnosis, worsening the original symptoms or creating entirely new ones. The best way to prevent these scenarios is for physicians to be available where these patients look for their medical advice: the internet.

It is a necessity to reach patients through digital means

The benefits of offering after-hours booking are not only limited to just patients. As stated above, patients from younger generations rely extensively on the internet in all facets of life, healthcare included. Thus, a strong online presence will make it easier for providers to reach.

The convenience continues; online booking allows patients to book appointments at any time, free from the restraints of having to call or visit during office hours. Modern practice management solutions can easily manage all of this whilst avoiding complications such as double booking.

Effective and efficient time management

Vacant appointment slots can serve as a major source of annoyance for providers; not only is it inefficient in terms of time, it is also a wasted opportunity for generating revenue. This is another area where online booking offers a solution: patients can schedule last-minute appointments for time slots that were previously empty, eliminating any time wastage, and creating an opportunity for revenue generation.