The 5 Things Any Doctor Reminder App Must Include For Healthcare Business Owners

Benefits of a doctor reminder software/app

No-shows refer to the situation that arises when a patient fails to attend an appointment they had booked, and unfortunately are something that every healthcare practice has to deal with. The biggest concern regarding no-shows is the fact that they undermine a patient’s health. Failure to seek treatment can result in delayed care, misdiagnosis, and worse clinical outcomes. Furthermore, the financial impact of a no-show on a healthcare clinic is fairly significant, as it results in empty time slots, overstaffing, and a loss of revenue. It is estimated that the healthcare industry loses over $1.5 billion USD per year to no-shows. Given their negative impact, different strategies have been employed with the aim of reducing them. One of the most effective of these is an appointment reminder app that automates text messages and email reminders to be sent out to patients prior to their upcoming appointments. The technology behind reminder apps is extremely intuitive and as the messages are automated, your staff don’t have to worry about spending excessive time composing and sending the reminders. These apps are the perfect, non-invasive solution to managing your practice’s no-shows. In addition to ensuring your business stays profitable, you will be able to deliver your services to a wider range of patients and improve clinical outcomes. What’s not to love?

5 things any doctor reminder app must include

Implementing any new form of technology can be daunting, particularly if you are unfamiliar with what you should be looking out for. However, we have done our research and are here to help, so we’ve collated a list of the five things your reminder app must include.

Ability to automate appointment reminders

One of the biggest reasons why healthcare companies introduce appointment reminders is because they increase productivity. With these systems, administrative staff no longer have to spend hours on the phone chasing down patients who didn’t show up to appointments, and try to fit them into an already full schedule. In order for the app to actually increase efficiency, however, the reminders need to be automated. That way, staff don’t have to worry about customizing and sending them and can instead rely on the software to handle it. 

Option to send customizable reminders

Every healthcare practice is different, and it is important for these differences to be reflected in the software that you use. Customizing reminders will allow you to format them according to your preferences, ensuring that they contain the correct information and address patients by name. When producing your reminders, it is a good idea to write them with your specific clientele in mind. Whilst professionalism is always important, you can adjust your language so that you have the best chances of engaging with patients. When finding the right app for your practice, keep in mind that templates are useful,  but in order to achieve high patient engagement these need to be customizable. 

Ability to send out email reminders

Bear in mind that whilst a lot of people use their phones for everything, this may not apply to certain demographics, particularly elderly patients. As such, your appointment reminder app should also have an email option, so you can guarantee that your patients are receiving the reminders. After all, what’s the point of implementing a reminder app if nobody reads the reminders?

Integration into your EHR system

Most healthcare companies, likely including yours, have moved to EHR systems to produce and store their clinical documentation. It is important that any new software you implement, including appointment reminder apps, can be integrated into your EHR system. This will mean that all of your data, including appointment scheduling, patient records, and clinical documentation, is stored in a single platform where it can be accessed by authorized users 24/7.  Integrated systems ensure that all of the information required to treat a patient appropriately can be easily accessed, facilitating better communication and improving clinical outcomes.

SMS/text Reminder option

As we mentioned, the majority of people in the world today use their phones for almost everything. SMS/text reminders will alert patients immediately, who can consequently put their upcoming appointment into their calendar if they haven’t already. 

Guide to setting up appointment reminders

Once you have decided which appointment reminder app you want to use, there are a few steps to take in order to set them up. The first thing you want to do is integrate your reminder app with your existing practice management software. The integration will allow the app to extract the names of patients and specific appointment details, including the time, date, and location. The next step involves writing up the base of your reminder. You can use templates or begin from scratch depending on your preferences. It is a good idea to conduct some research and identify the best types of appointment reminders and the type of information they include. Once you have decided on the format and content of your appointment reminders, you need to decide when they will be sent out to patients. It is a good idea to send an appointment confirmation notification at the time of the booking, and then a follow-up reminder around 24 hours before the appointment. Remember that patients also lead busy lives, so sending reminders during working hours may be ineffective. After these steps have been completed, your job is done. Sit back, relax and watch as the number of no-shows at your practice start to decline!

Take home message

Appointment reminder apps are one of the most effective ways to reduce no-shows and save your business time and money. With the right software, you will be able to integrate all of the administrative processes, improving the efficiency of your practice and ensuring all of your patients receive the highest quality healthcare. Carepatron offers an appointment reminder app that is HIPAA-compliant and integrates with various other tools, including clinical documentation, scheduling systems, EHR, and medical billing. With Carepatron, your practice will be guaranteed to significantly reduce its no-shows, all whilst focusing on delivering quality care to patients in need.

Get started on Carepatron today to automate your Doctor reminders!

Further Reading:

• Telehealth should be lasting care mode, not a temporary measure
• 6 Reasons Healthcare Is So Expensive in the U.S.