Automated Patient Communication and Why it is Essential for Today’s Medical Practice

Medical practices are required to provide top notch medical care to their patients while running an ever changing business. One of the major changes over the past decade has been the increase in technology automation, including patient communications. Historically, practices have required staff members to handle patient communication whether it be for, scheduling, billing, or post care instructions. That is no longer necessary as practices can streamline these communications through automated tools that can send text messages and emails to patients en masse. This helps increase efficiency and revenue while decreasing patient complaints and practice costs. 

Reasons to Automate Patient Communication

1. Increased Efficiency: Automation can handle repetitive tasks like appointment scheduling, reminders, and follow-ups. This frees up time for staff to focus on more critical tasks that require a human touch. It also enables a practice to grow quickly without having to hire additional staff to take on these responsibilities.
2. Increased Revenue: Automated appointment reminders, sent via SMS, email, or phone calls, can significantly reduce no-show rates by reminding patients of their upcoming appointments and allowing them to confirm or reschedule easily. Moreover, a patient can receive their financial statements directly to their phone or email making it easier to pay their balance.
3. Reduce Patient Dissatisfaction: Consistent and timely communication is key to patient satisfaction. Most of the patient complaints we experience with busy medical practices are an inability to contact the practice in a timely manner. This becomes much simpler for both the patient and the practice with automated communication. 
4. Reduced Costs: By reducing the need for manual communication, automation can lead to significant cost savings through decreased dedicated staff time as well as required office supplies.

Specific Areas to Automate Communication

1. Scheduling: Automating the scheduling process allows patients to book appointments directly from their phone or computer, without having to call the office. Reminders can be sent to patients via their preferred communication method, reducing no-show appointments.
2. Post-Care Instructions: Automation can send patients follow-up messages, surveys, and reminders to take prescribed medications, making sure patients keep up with their treatment plans and recovery.
3. Billing and Payment Options: Automated billing systems can send out invoices, payment reminders, and receipts, making it easier for patients to make payments without having to come into the office or talk to a staff member on the phone. 
4. Patient Education and Outreach: Automation can also be used to send updates to patients, such as newsletters, health tips, or information about new services to drive patient interaction and enable practice growth in the community. 

Automate Patient Communication With DoctorsManagement

Automating patient communications in a medical practice is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity for staying competitive and providing top-notch patient care. These tools can integrate seamlessly with your practice management and Electronic Health Records (EHR) Systems. The tools are designed to comply with healthcare regulations such as HIPAA, ensuring that patient data is handled securely. DoctorsManagement consultants have implemented patient automation tools in practices across the country and would be happy to assist your group in accomplishing the same.

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