It’s not just the future that’s digital – the present is as well. If your medical practice is still reliant on pen and paper, it’s time to embrace the efficiencies of digitization. Not only will your business benefit from streamlined processes and improved transparency, but your patients will enjoy the increased ease of booking appointments, managing payments, and accessing their health information. Here’s what to know about bringing your medical practice into the 21st century.
The Benefits of Digitization
Going digital can be a major change for practices that have been using hard copy files – and especially for smaller clinics. Embracing digital records and processes offers a number of benefits, including:
- Streamlined communication and coordination. Digital booking systems and electronic health records bring key patient information into one place. Now patients can easily book appointments, be reminded of upcoming appointments and procedures, make payments, and monitor information.
- Reduced administrative load. The shift to digital reduces the time spent on finding, filing, sorting, and updating patient files. Digital booking systems make it easier to make, confirm and reschedule appointments, reducing the time your admin staff spends on routine follow-up calls. In addition to getting insight into a patient’s background and history, update notes, send communications, and even place prescription orders at the touch of a button. Digital record-keeping and payment systems also reduce human error, resulting in a more efficient practice overall.
- Improved security and analytics. Digitization keeps patient data safe, private and protected from theft, damage, or privacy breaches. It also gives you a window into how your practice is performing and where improvements can be made at a business or branding level.
Where to Start with Digitization
The right approach to digitization will depend on your practice. Large-scale systems can be expensive to implement and may not be the right choice for very small practices. However, an investment in technology can pay major dividends for a practice looking to grow or diversify. Always consider the business case and ROI when investing in technology; don’t just pay for tech for “tech’s sake.”
Here are some tools to help you get started:
- A website. Simple but essential in today’s world, a website is your digital business card. It’s where patients find and learn about what you do and the services you offer. More advanced websites can include functionality such as appointment booking, payments, and patient portals.
- Electronic health records. Shift your patient records to an on-premise or cloud-based database with an EHR. Implementation can take some time, but you’ll see enormous benefits in terms of efficiency, scheduling, and prescription tracking. There are a variety of different systems available for practices of all types and sizes.
- Medical invoicing. Improve payment turnaround and reduce the need to follow up by using a digital system for sending and receiving payments. Staff will spend less time processing payments or chasing late or partial payments.
- Telehealth. Patient uptake of telehealth continues to grow. Investing in telehealth functionality – including private rooms for taking telehealth calls – increases your potential patient base and boosts accessibility.
- Marketing and surveys. Digital systems help you push marketing campaigns to drive awareness about your services and ensure that patients are booking routine and follow-up appointments. You can also use these to send post-visit surveys to gauge patient satisfaction.
Move Forward with GZ Realty
A tech-forward practice deserves a tech-forward space. If your current location isn’t set up to allow easy implementation of modern-day medical technology, talk to the team at Gittleson Zuppas Medical Realty. We can help you find a space equipped to seamlessly adapt to your technological needs, whether that’s onsite data storage, ultra-fast internet, or private rooms for taking telehealth appointments.