Healthcare is an ever-evolving industry with technology and medication seeming to change daily. Those who work in the healthcare industry have to be incredibly flexible with all of the changes that are sure to happen. The way of the future involves providing the best care possible while trying to make each patient’s experience in the best possible way. With healthcare becoming more and more competitive, patient experience can be the difference between a patient opting for another practice and having a patient for life.
Below, a few areas that healthcare is changing, as well as a look at the impacts of these changes.
1. Setting Appointments
The process of setting appointments for most healthcare related procedure or checkups is being made much easier. Instead of being given a few different times and dates you can now go on a website to see the open appointments. The patient should be able to find a time that does not interfere with work or other obligations. Practices can even use mobile apps to set these appointments seamlessly.
The times of constant calls trying to set an appointment are gone, the easier and more efficient way of setting appointments is here! The focus on the patient has driven this as the patient wants to feel in control of making their appointment instead of being at the mercy of the person working the front desk.
2. Digital Marketing
Marketing has changed in healthcare with local practices trying to rank the highest on the search engines. These practices can attract a multitude of patients simply by making it to the first page. Searchers rarely will go passed the first page if they find what they are looking for.
The need for an easy to use website could not be more important and it also needs to be made into a resource. This can be in the blog section to educate patients and answer commonly asked questions related to the practice or area of specialty. Off-site marketing also will be incredibly important so consider utilizing a contractor if building out a marketing department simply is not an option for a small practice.
3. Care Programs That Concentrate On Providing Comfort For Patients
Programs to help those who are not capable of taking care of themselves are quite prevalent. In the past, the goal was to provide a sufficient standard of care for the person enrolled in an assistance program. The comfort of the patient was taken into account but had never been priority. CDPAP in New York is an example of a program that concentrates on more than just the care of the patient.
This allows a family member or selected caretaker to be paid for the time they spend caring for the person. Not only does this provide comfort in knowing the caretaker but it also helps reduce the strain on the provider of care. Take a look as programs in various states as these vary immensely with who qualifies for help and the help that is provided.
4. Seeing Doctors Online
The world seems to be getting busier and busier so finding time to go see the doctor has become much more difficult. Online doctors can be a great alternative for a variety of reasons. First you will not have to sit in a waiting room with sick people for an undetermined amount of time. The lack of wait is a perk but avoiding sickly people should be the icing on the cake. Video chats can allow you to describe symptoms and allow the doctor to get a better look at an injury or rash.
What many people do not realize is that these doctors can call in prescriptions to your nearest pharmacy for pickup. The one drawback is if you need to have certain lab tests completed, this cannot be done through the computer. The doctor will have to send you to a lab in your area to complete this in order to get all of the testing done. Checkups can be done online but serious injuries or illnesses need to be dealt with in person at an office or the hospital. Online doctor visits are here to stay making our lives much easier with each appointment.
The future is bright for those in healthcare as it is a great industry when it comes to job security. Be as flexible as possible when working, as it is what your healthcare job requires!