5 Reasons Why Self-Scheduling Will Be The Future of Healthcare

Online self-scheduling has found it’s way into many industries. With the introduction of online booking programs, we can now share our availability and book appointments with our colleagues without ever needing to exchange words. Some service providers, such as esthetiticians and day Spas will allow you to book an appointment for a specific service online. Below are some reasons why online self-scheduling will become the way of the future in the healthcare industry:

1. Global movement toward client-centered care

The medical model has gone out of style very quickly. There is a global movement toward client-centered care and putting our clients and patients behind the wheel to direct their own healthcare. We see this with the adoption of patient centered models such as the Recovery Model, and programs such as Patricia Deagan’s Common Ground, a web-based software in which patients can indicate their treatment preferences to clinicians.

2. Patients and clients will come to expect it

We are capable of controlling when and where we communicate with our networks, do our jobs, make purchases, and acquire new media. It is only a matter of time before we expect to have the same electronic control over managing our healthcare. Further, once this autonomy and convenience is offered by one provider, we will want it from all of them. Then, self-scheduling becomes a client driven process, much like direct billing has become a common tie-breaker in choosing professional service providers.

3. Growing digital industry

We are turning to traditional methods of communication less and less. Who knew we would use a phone more often to type words to recipients rather than just talking through it? We like the control, the ability to multi-task and the 24/7 aspect of digital communication. Further, the digital industry has rapidly become the locale for one-stop shopping, a place where I can research, find, schedule and pay for my products and services.

4. Time Saver

Exchanging dialogue and administrative needs takes time out of your day. The little bit here and the little bit there adds up to lost billable hours. Clients also lose time in the back and forth transaction. We are all busy, clients and clinicians. Time has become our most valuable asset.

5. It’s not a control shift

A popular misconception to the idea self-scheduling is that a total power shift allows clients and patients to see your entire schedule and book whatever service they want at whatever time. The truth is, the service provider is still able to pre-determine what times they will make themselves available and for what services. The client is not only able to complete the appointment booking transaction in their own time and place, now they are doing the admin work for you. It is a win-win situation.

Our lifestyles have never changed so drastically, or as quickly as they have with the introduction of the internet age. There are still many fundamental changes that are on the cusp of technology. Having the ability to acquire services online is only one of them.

About the author

Golden Rulest and wife to @jeffroach. Inbound Marketing strategist for @ClinicServer. Photographer. Occupational Therapist. Chair of #Fusionsj.

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