Communicating with Patients in the Technology Age

The formula used to be simple:

appointment card + postcard + phone call = patient in your office.

Now the formula can look as extreme as this:

appointment card + email + text message + postcard + cell phone call = patient in your office.

Of course things don’t always have to be this complicated, but with the advent of technology comes the need to review your current strategy for recalling and reminding patients of their appointments. Some patients will continue to rely on the tried and true: faithfully affixing their appointment card to the refrigerator and marking the date on the calendar next to the phone. However, you’ll also find the patient who might prefer a quick text message a day or two before their appointment so they can appropriately schedule it into their Blackberry.

The key is to communicate with your patients and develop a strategy that will work for them. Your office can save time and money by asking a few simple questions, like “What is the best way to remind you of your appointment?” and noting it in your practice management software or in their chart.

-Karyn 
 

Does your practice send electronic reminders via email or text messaging?